The Honda Racing Team have announced that they will unveil their new car for the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at the official media day on 24 March at Donington Park.
After spending the previous campaign racing a Civic Tourer in 2014, the Team Dynamics-run outfit will introduce a new machine for 2015 in their bid to claim back the Manufacturer crown they surrendered to MG.
Regulars Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will return behind the wheel once again for a sixth consecutive season in the series as team-mates. Former BTCC champion Shedden finished third overall last year with three victories to his name, while Neal collected a win at Knockhill and eighth place overall as the squad secured the runners-up spot of the Teams’ championship.
2012 BTCC champion Shedden has one clear goal, his sights firmly set on the title as he said: “We’ve shown over the past few seasons that we’re never afraid to push back the boundaries and come up with something different and new that really engages the fans. The Civic Tourer was fantastic for us and created history in many ways, and I’m sure what we have planned for this year will generate a bigger buzz still! We approach every new season with optimism, and the goal remains the same – to try to win the championship.
“The priority as ever will be the manufacturers’ championship for Honda, followed by the teams’ title for Team Dynamics – and of course, both Matt and I are keen to get to the last round and still be in with a shout of lifting the drivers’ crown.”
Former triple BTCC champion Neal endured a rough campaign at times last season, but was brimming ahead of a new campaign with a new machine ready to be unveiled for the Honda squad.
“The anticipation surrounding Honda’s new car for 2015 is immense and we can’t wait to show it off,” he enthused. “I’m confident it will be a step forward in every area and a very potent weapon. We had a difficult season at times in 2014, but that only gives us renewed motivation to climb back to the top. We still have massive self-belief in our ability to build and run a front-running touring car, and we are ready to put up one hell of a fight!”
Honda UK Managing Director, Philip Crossman, added: “We are delighted to re-confirm ‘Flash’ and Matt for a sixth season at Honda Racing. They have demonstrated time and again that not only are they ultra-committed racers and proven winners – champions, indeed – but also that they are consummate team players.”