Honda have confirmed today (18th March) that their partnership with Team Dynamics in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) ended following the conclusion of the 2020 season.
Dan Rowbottom was confirmed to be partnering Gordon Shedden in their two-car line-up this morning but as part of that announcement, it was revealed that Team Dynamics had signed a multi-year agreement with Halfords and Cataclean, the former driver’s main sponsor.
This confirmed the end of Honda’s constructor backing as well as Yuasa with Matt Neal saying they were set to ‘focus on different challenges’.
As a result, it is the end of a 17-year partnership and one that has seen 11 years as a constructer backed entry, with 14 Manufacturer and Teams Championship wins, as well as six Drivers’ titles with both Neal and Shedden becoming triple champions behind the wheel of a Honda.
The FK2 Civic Type R in particular holds the record as the most winning car of all time in the BTCC and has led to five out of the 27 cars on the grid being the current Type R model.
“Honda UK would like to thank everyone at Team Dynamics for the last 17 years of racing, fun and success,” commented Olivia Dunn, Head of Communications, at Honda UK.
“As a business, we continually review our marketing activity to ensure that it aligns to our future business strategy. Therefore, it was with significant regret that we had to inform Team Dynamics that we were unable to continue our sponsorship at the end of the 2020 season. We wish Team Dynamics the very best of luck for the future and look forward to cheering them on next season and for seasons to come.”
“We have been the most successful team in Honda’s history of touring car championships, which we are incredibly proud of,” said Neal. “While we are very sad to see Honda go, we would like to thank them for the last 17 years of support and professional friendship. We have been working hard over the winter to pull a package together for the forthcoming 2021 season and will be racing the FK8 Honda Civic Type R with our highly accomplished crew who are as hungry as ever.”
