Team Halfords out to reclaim BTCC title.

Current Independent British Touring Car champion 'Team Halfords', sponsored by the automotive retail giant, confirms its entrance in the 2003 Green Flag backed BTCC after a phenomenally successful 2002 season both on and off track.

The team will be presenting two new Peugeot 307's to join the fray, and as the only new model in the championship, its performance potential will be cloaked in an air of mystery.

2002 Independent Champion Dan Eaves will be heading the duo, focusing his attentions on the overall championship honour as well as re-claiming his current title.

"The 307 is by far the most agile car I have driven, and its instant speed is really impressive," commented Eaves. "So far I have only driven the 307 at Production car specification, but can only imagine the Touring car will be as successful for its first turn of the wheel, and will undoubtedly be a consistent challenger in the championship."

Carl Breeze, who joined the team in 2002, mid-season, will be looking to make a greater impact on the Championship this year. Carl's vast experience in single-seater racing has given him a confident approach to touring car racing, and he will be going 'all out' this year to win the podium positions that he missed out on last year.

"In 2002 I joined the team halfway through the season, so was behind in points and testing before I had even started," noted Breeze. "This year I intend to give my team-mate a run for his money and focus my attention on a championship title."

VLR ltd will again be running the team, after securing the sponsorship deal with Halfords for a second year running. Team Principle and Managing Director Vic Lee is confident that his independent team will take the fight to the front of the field.

"I am delighted to have Halfords on board for a second year, we have built a good working relationship and feel we will achieve bigger and better things with our new hot hatch," said Lee. "Preliminary data shows there are great things to come from this car, but again we are slightly behind in our testing programme, so the first round will certainly be an eye opener."

Team Halfords has this year also engaged the help of highly renowned F1 designer, Sergio Rinland, to help with its quest for supremacy. With over 30 years experience in the motorsport industry, there is little left for Rinland to conquer, but when fronted with a touring car build in half its usual time, it was more than he could resist.

Team Halfords has the ingredients of a winning team both on and off track, and is eager for the 307's premier at Ireland's Mondello Park next weekend.