Photo: BTCC Blueprints

BTC Racing upgrade to latest generation Honda Civic Type R

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BTC Racing has confirmed that it will switch to the latest generation FK8 version of the Honda Civic Type R for the 2019 BTCC season.

The move will see the team running the same machines as the works-backed Team Dynamics outfit, with Josh Cook having signed up to partner the returning Chris Smiley.

BTC will benefit from support from Team Dynamics as part of the deal.

“Our relationship with Team Dynamics just moved up a gear,” team principal Bert Taylor said. “By allowing us into the stable, we’ve been granted privileged access to more than 20 years of hard work, data and championship-winning experience.

“It is difficult to describe just how committed Barry [Plowman, technical director] and the guys at Dynamics are until you see what they build. It’s a real masterclass in engineering for the Honda brand.”

As well as switching to the FK8 Civic, the team will also change engine supplier to run the same Neil Brown-developed engine as the two works cars.

BTC has previously used the Swindon TOCA engine in both its Chevrolet Cruze and FK2 Hondas during the past two years.

“After two years with Swindon Engineering, we’re sad to leave them,” Taylor added, “especially after all the hard work and support they have provided us with the TOCA engines used in both our Chevrolet Cruzes and FK2-gen Honda Civic Type Rs.

“I’ve been a NBE customer previously, so for me and the team it was like going home. It wasn’t a difficult decision in the end to make the jump and be sure that the new cars would have the Honda powerplant in their engine bays.

“We feel we’ve got the best partners providing what is recognised as one of the best engines in the championship. This yields the best opportunity yet for us to challenge right at the sharp end for race wins and podium finishes.”

Team co-owner Steve Dudman was also delighted to confirm the new look for the team ahead of the 2019 campaign.

“The team at Team Dynamics Motorsport are consummate professionals in everything they do,” he added. “They handle the fine line between us as a customer and being their competitor with complete balance, fairness and transparency and we look forward to reaping the rewards in 2019 for both teams in equal measure.

“Having the Honda engine makes the car and team feel we have a complete package. We look forward to working with all of the team at NBE in what we’re sure will be a great year in the BTCC.”