Matt Neal gives Civic Type-R its maiden run at Brands Hatch

Honda Racing Team’s new Civic Type-R has had its first outing on track at Brands Hatch today, with three-time champion Matt Neal at the wheel.

The team took the wraps off their 2015 challenger at the Kent circuit, finally confirming the expected news that the new Type-R would replace the outgoing Tourer model raced last season.

While Neal ran in the new machinery, his team-mate Gordon Shedden continued his running in the Tourer, and the duo were joined on circuit by several other BTCC teams and drivers.

Both Rob Austin Racing Audi A4s were present, with owner-driver Rob Austin and team-mate Hunter Abbott running in a plain black livery.

The two Mercedes A-Class machines of Adam Morgan and Aiden Moffat were also on track, alongside AmD Tuning’s Mike Bushell, Triple Eight Racing’s Jack Goff and Power Maxed Racing’s Dave Newsham.

A second BTCC test day takes place tomorrow, with Speedworks Motorsport expected to run alongside Alex Martin in the Ford Focus ST.