Honda Racing arrives at Snetterton in Norfolk for rounds 13 and 14 of this year’s MSA British Touring Car Championship in confident mood after producing its best performance of the season two weeks ago at Croft. The two Honda Civic Type-R pocket rockets have become increasingly competitive forces within this country’s premier race series since making their BTCC debut back in April. Drivers Andy Priaulx and Alan Morrison qualified third and fourth for both showdowns at Croft and Priaulx took maximum advantage of the Civic’s pace to finish a close second place in the event’s longer Feature Race. Moreover, having finished a strong fourth in the earlier Sprint Race, the Guernseyman was the top scorer at Croft and now holds fifth place in the BTCC standings after 12 of 20 rounds.

“We have been getting stronger and stronger with every race and the result at Croft was thoroughly well deserved,” enthuses Priaulx. “However it’s now important that we keep improving and maintain our position among the front-runners. We had a constructive test at Snetterton earlier in the year and with its long straights the layout should suit the Civic. That said we start the weekend with a massive weight handicap having finished runner-up in the previous race, so it won’t be easy for me to replicate the Croft result.”

Morrison, on the other hand, starts at Snetterton on the minimum weight limit. Along with Priaulx, the Ulsterman was one of the stars in North Yorkshire and was poised to make it two Hondas in the top four when his throttle cable failed with just a few laps remaining. “That was bitterly disappointing,” admits Morrison. “But, looking on the positive side, it gives me a great chance to make amends this weekend. The Honda has now proved itself to be a front-runner and I’m confident that I will be challenging for a place on the podium on Sunday.”

Honda Racing team principal, Mike Earle adds: “We always knew the Civic Type-R had the inherent strengths to be a major contender for BTCC honours but, with the severe testing restrictions, we were also aware it would take us a few races to maximise its potential. While we were delighted by the progress displayed at Croft, we are all gaining more and more experience with every race and thus should be even more competitive at Snetterton.”