AmD Milltek evaluating NGTC engine options

The AmD Milltek Racing team is evaluating it’s options in terms of running a NGTC-specification engine in 2011 in their Volkswagen Golf. Their options being building their own or running the Swindon Engines unit.

Team Principal and driver Shaun Hollamby says the weakest part of the car is the engine, and the NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) route is looking like the best option for the team.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Hollamby says the success of the Special Tuning UK team to get the NGTC-engine, built by Swindon Engines for TOCA, running in their S2000 SEAT Leon with relatively few problems at Silverstone, has tempted them to look into that option. The team is also pondering however, that even though at greater cost, it’s probably the more logical route strategically to build their own NGTC engine specifically for the Golf.

The plan would then be also to build a full car to NGTC specifications for 2012, to fulfil a two year phased switch to NGTC, cementing AmD Milltek Racing’s future commitment to the BTCC.

The team are enjoying a learning first year in the BTCC, and Hollamby’s main rivals are fellow BTCC debutants Forster Motorsport, who have the already established BMW 320si in their possession. Forster’s Martin Depper is two points ahead of Hollamby in the independent drivers’ championship, whilst neither team has scored overall points this season.

Hollamby rubbished rumours of a second car for next year, although the team would be happy to do it, they’re not expecting the necessary funds to appear for such a project and will focus on developing the Golf they have.

The team were also investigating running the Biogas engines that are being used in the STCC by the works Volkswagen team, but with further restrictions looking set to be introduced next year on alternative fuelled cars, prompting Team Aon away from their LPG project, AmD Milltek Racing have also decided to steer clear of these and focus on NGTC.