Alex Mortimer says he is happy with the first test sessions for the Team RPM Dodge Viper Competition Coupe that will debut in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship next season.

The team, which was amongst the front-runners in the GTC class last season, look set to be amongst the front-runners for the new campaign with its brace of GT3 specification Vipers that will run alongside a pair of Porsche 997s for the 2007 season.

RPM has already been able to complete two tests with the Viper prior to Christmas, with Mortimer declaring himself pleased with how the initial sessions had gone.

“It's been really good so far,” he told Crash.net. “We've done two Avon tyre tests and have now decided to stop for Christmas. On both days it was wet in the morning and then dry in the afternoons – so effectively we have had a full day of dry running with the car.

“Of course the Viper is totally different to the Porsche from last season, going from a car with the engine right out the back to one with the engine our front. We have been able to make good progress with the car and are on our way with the set-up and I see no reason why we won't be able to fight right at the front with the Viper.”

RPM are one of two teams to have currently announced plans to run the Viper next season, with Moore Racing having also confirmed it will run at least one car in 2007.