Honda down to two as Andy Neate departs

The Halfords Yuasa Racing team is to revert to a two-car outfit with immediate effect after announcing that Andy Neate is to leave after just one round of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season.

Neate joined the team for his return to the series this year but failed to score during the opening rounds of the campaign at Brands Hatch earlier this month.

On the eve of this weekend’s meeting at Donington Park, series organisers TOCA have confirmed that the Team Dynamics-run squad has elected withdraw Neate’s car from the championship, with the TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL) that was being used to run it having been returned.

That licence is now set to be reallocated to another team in time for the third meeting of the year at Thruxton.

“Halfords Yuasa Racing will be a two-car squad for the remainder of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, after ending its relationship with third driver Andy Neate with immediate effect,” a statement issued by the series read.

“Series organiser TOCA has been kept aware of developments throughout the process and has agreed to the withdrawal of the car from the remainder of the 2016 Championship, and has subsequently recalled the loaned TBL (TOCA BTCC Licence) associated with that entry.

“Halfords Yuasa Racing still holds two permanent TBLs, which are required for each entry to guarantee participation, whilst this third licence was loaned to the team prior to the 2016 season.

“This loaned TBL shall be re-allocated by TOCA from the next event (Thruxton) to another team/entry for the rest of the season – details of which will be announced in due course.”

Neate’s departure means 31 cars are set to content this weekend’s three races.