The 2006 British Touring Car Championship launched at Brands Hatch today, as the cars and drivers were unveiled to the world’s media.

20 cars feature on the entry list for the new season of racing, with 16 drivers taking to the track in the afternoon test session. It followed the morning’s activities, which included a spectacular launch presentation from Team Halfords, where Gordon Shedden was confirmed in the second Integra.

VX Racing displayed their newly re-liveried Astra Sport Hatches for the first time, sporting a green front end to reflect a sponsorship deal with hotel chain Holiday Inn.

The two West Surrey Racing MGs sported a slightly revised RAC livery from the first time the car appeared at the Autosport Show back in January. Combined with the Team Halfords cars, it makes for a very strong orange presence in the pitlane, especially with the all-orange overalls sported by the Team RAC crew.

The Independents’ Championship line-up is reinforced by a strong single-car team presence, with entries from Fast-Tec Motorsport (Mark Proctor), Geoff Steel Racing (Martyn Bell), Synchro Motorsport (James Kaye), Kartworld Racing (Jason Hughes), Motorbase Performance (David Pinkney), In Front Motorsport (Mark Smith), Team Eurotech Racing with John Guest (Mike Jordan) and Thurlby Motors with Tech-Speed (Fiona Leggate).

Present on the entry list, but absent from Brands Hatch were James Kaye, and drivers for the third cars from both Team RAC and Team Halfords, although Gareth Howell was at Brands Hatch. Darren Turner did not run during the afternoon test session to give James Thompson maximum track time.

Expect assorted features and interviews from Brands Hatch here on BTCCPages.com very soon.