BTCC reveals NGTC base model
TOCA has confirmed that the Toyota Avensis will be used as the test and development car for the Next Generation Touring Car regulations that will come into play for the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season.
Toyota has supplied a full donor car and a new bodyshell to GPR Motorsport, which is currently working alongside a number of the BTCC's technical partners to design and construct the first NGTC machine.
Double champion James Thompson will then be handed the role of test and development driver when the car hits the track, with a testing programme set to take place before the car makes its public debut in free practice during the season finale at Brands Hatch in October.
"We would like to thank Toyota for its generous and highly valued contribution to this project," series director Alan Gow said. "The Avensis is an ideal platform for the new car; it's fully suited to the NGTC ethos and, just like our new BTCC regulations, is proudly built in Britain."
Toyota was keen to point out that the decision to provide a car for the NGTC development programme isn't a commitment to re-enter the series with a works team, but insisted it will following the prototype build 'with great interest'.
