Following a successful test at Brands Hatch, Team RAC are quietly confident as they return to the Kent circuit this weekend for the opening round of the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

In their distinctive orange livery Colin Turkington and Rob Collard will be looking for a strong team performance to get their Championship campaign off to a positive start. Both drivers completed further testing in the MG ZS' at Brands Hatch on Friday and we're impressed with the developments that Team RAC has undertaken.

Colin Turkington enjoyed his first taste of success at Brands Hatch when in 2003, driving an MG ZS, he registered his first BTCC race win. With less than a week until the first race Colin Turkington is raring to go and looking to be first past the chequered flag once again. Following the recent test, he said: "The car is really starting to come good. We've found some more pace and I feel that there is still more to come. I'm feeling pretty confident for opening round but you don't know who hasn't showed their hand as yet."

A 2005 Brands Hatch race winner coupled with an excellent performance at the 2006 official launch confirms Rob Collard as a serious Championship title contender. Now in his second year at WSR and with a race partner with whom to share data, Rob's confidence is at an all time high. He explains: "We've made some positive changes to the suspension set-up and have learnt a lot from the last two testing sessions at Brands Hatch. I'm feeling very positive and the team are feeling confident heading to the first round. It's a big challenge but I'm hoping for a repeat performance of last year."

The recent outing to Brands Hatch enabled Team RAC to further test improvements to the suspension and the EDL supplied two-litre K-series engine. Pleased with the progress that Team RAC are making, team principal Dick Bennetts said: "The boys have put in some long hours back at the WSR workshop (Sunbury-on-Thames) and the work certainly looks promising in testing, but this weekend will provide the first real opportunity to see where we stand against the competition. Team RAC has two very competent drivers in Colin and Rob, and I certainly expect us to be on the pace. We've experienced some great performances in the past at Brands Hatch and if we can replicate Rob Collard's race winning performance of last year, well, what a great way to start the 2006 season."

Having attended the launch on 9 April, Shaun Meadows, RAC Marketing Director commented: "The exceptional level of effort put in by Team RAC has made this such a great day. The whole of RAC is behind the team and geared up for the start of the season. We are looking forward to seeing Team RAC make many visits to the podium."