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BTCC - Teams Continue Pre-Season Test Programs


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The Airwaves Racing, Team Aon and Pirtek Racing squads all continued their pre-season testing programmes yesterday ahead of 2011’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with some spectacular results (see photo).

Rival Ford Focus outfits Airwaves and Aon were both in action for a second day on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, while Pirtek headed north to Silverstone, Northants.

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Mat Jackson and Liam Griffin drove their Motorbase-run Airwaves cars while Chilton, concentrating on rear-end geometry settings, racked up plenty of development miles on his Arena-prepared Aon version before handing over to Andy Neate, who was again on hand to sample the Focus having raced a WSR BMW in 2010.

Notably, both teams are using identical petrol-fuelled, turbocharged Ford engines developed to the BTCC’s new Next Generation Touring Car regulations meaning an intriguing contest between them lay in store in 2011. Furthermore, fans can expect a terrific engine note as well as spectacular exhaust flames (as pictured).

Also on track at Brands was BTCC organiser TOCA’s NGTC prototype with Matt Griffin carrying out more component durability testing.

Meanwhile, Pirtek pair Andrew Jordan and Jeff Smith both drove their Vauxhall Vectras – using TOCA’s own unbranded NGTC turbo engine – at Silverstone. However, their running was hampered by inconsistent weather, much to the frustration of Jordan.

Looking ahead, a growing number of teams are set to head to Hampshire next week for two days of unofficial testing at the high-speed Thruxton circuit (Weds 23 & Thurs 24 February).