The test day at Thruxton, run in wet conditions last Friday (April 25), was 'encouraging' according to Phil Bennett of Team PSP. With some new aerodynamic parts fitted to his Petronas-backed Proton Impian, he split the best times of both the two works Vauxhall drivers and the two works MG drivers and topped the results from the finish line speed trap.

He said: "We're starting to find more grip in the fast corners without hurting the maximum speed. It's great news - I want to be mixing it with the Vauxhalls and MG's and give them a run for their money."

Team PSP's lead driver David Leslie was carrying out another element of the development programme and pronounced himself happy to be making progress.

He said: "I'm excited by the plans that Mike Carroll has laid out for us after our feedback from our first year. I'm confident we're going to continue to move forward."

The next race-day is Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May at Brands Hatch, supporting the UK round of the Champ Car championship.