Team Halfords Set For New Challenge
Mar 13, 2007
Jakobebrey
After two seasons of unrivalled success with its home grown Honda Integras, Team Halfords will take on the challenge of a new and exciting programme for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season.
Changes in regulations for the new season force the team to move away from their all conquering Integra, which enabled Matt Neal to become the first man in the modern era to successfully defend the BTCC title. However, the Team Dynamics run outfit will continue with the successful Honda brand, with a pair of exciting New Civics built to the Super 2000 rules found in the WTCC.
As was the case with the Integra, which won 26 times in two seasons, the Civic - the first S2000 Team Halfords entry - will be fully designed and developed in-house by motorsport specialist Team Dynamics, with the low budget team currently working around the clock to prepare the cars for the opening rounds of the season at Brands Hatch.
Double Champion Matt Neal stated of his team and the car: “If the car goes as fast as it looks then we should be right up there! The boys have been working flat out and they have done a demon job, all credit goes to them. This season is going to be closer than ever, so attention to detail is key if we are going to be on the pace. “
While the car will be different, the driver pairing for the year ahead will remain the same, with Double Champion Neal joined by Gordon “Flash” Shedden in the second car - “Flash” having firmly established himself in the BTCC during a fine debut season in 2006, where he finished fourth overall.
A series of exciting new sponsors, including Garmin, Karcher and LG Electronics, will support the Independent outfit during the year ahead, but the main backing for the 2007 season will again come from Halfords, who will continue their title sponsorship into a third year.
“We’d like to thank Honda for their technical input in what has been a testing time, “ team principal Steve Neal stated. “We have been racing against the clock to get the cars ready. We`re also delighted once again to welcome Halfords as our lead sponsor, supported by a number of new key brands that many fans will be familiar with. It’s also great to welcome back Clydesdale bank for their second year, they have given us invaluable support and we have struck up a great working relationship. “
The Halfords partnership has been established as one of the most successful in BTCC history, with Team Halfords now ready to enter a new era with the introduction of the Civic into the championship.
Halfords Director of Trading Paul McClenaghan said: “Halfords is delighted to partner Team Dynamics in leading the challenge for the championship for a third unprecedented year. It`s going to be an exciting season with new cars backed by a great team set up and of course the successful partnership of Matt and “Flash” gunning for the title. We`re really pushing the boundaries which should make for some great racing. “
