DUNLOP MSA British Touring Car Championship team DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing will go into the second half of the 2018 season at Snetterton 300 Circuit this weekend with high hopes after a strong two-day test outing at the Norfolk track last week.

Joining championship rivals for the annual Dunlop tyre test last Wednesday and Thursday, the Swindon team and driver Rob Austin made good progress with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, ending the two days happy with their development.

On day one, Austin completed the two sessions sixth overall on combined times and said: “The tyre test was very productive for us.

“It gave us opportunity to try lots of things we haven’t had chance to so far, and learn what these changes do.

"We didn’t have the eureka moment that we were perhaps hoping for, but the pace in the car is very strong and we are in a good place as a team entering the second half of the season.”

Austin added: “I have high hopes for Snetterton and with good reason.

“We may not have had great results this year overall, but initially we were in a development process and for the last three events we have had a very competitive car that should have been on the podium a number of times.

“It’s no secret we’ve had the most horrific luck I have ever experienced in my 27 years of racing. I’m the sort of guy who believes you make your own luck normally, but the issues that have held us back have been completely out of my hands.

"I’m hoping Snetterton can be a turning point.”

Free practice takes place on Saturday, with three rounds of racing at 11.30am, 1.50pm and 5.15pm on Sunday, screened live on ITV4.