Honda has released the first images of the Next Generation Touring Car version of the Civic that will be used in the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Matt Neal and
Gordon Shedden will be at the wheel of the car, which is undergoing its first test proper at
Brands Hatch today [Tuesday], with Speedworks Motorsport also present with its Toyota Avensis.
The new Honda has undergone work at the MIRA testing facility over the past week, which included a shakedown with Neal at the wheel on Friday.
After the test at Brands Hatch, Honda will then head to
Donington Park on Thursday for the second test with the new car later this week.
“The team have all been working incredibly hard since the start of the NGTC programme back in August so everybody's very excited to see the new car on track for the first time,” team manager Peter Crolla said. “It'll be interesting from the point of view of both drivers and engineers to see how the car behaves on a track where we were very competitive with the S2000 Civic and we can really start to understand and develop the new car.
“The main aim for the day will be to establish a baseline set-up for the car which we can then tune for the various circuits we visit during the season. Initial feedback from the MIRA shakedown was positive so we're hoping to continue that today and cover some valuable mileage with both Matt and Gordon behind the wheel.”