HANDY Motorsport head to Donington Park today for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship annual team media day in buoyant mood, following a highly encouraging series of pre-season tests.

Star driver Rob Austin, who heads into his second season behind the wheel of the Swindon team’s Toyota Avensis and his seventh BTCC campaign in total, has put serious mileage on the car at both Brands Hatch, the venue for the opening three races, and Oulton Park.

Austin, who steered Handy to its first-ever outright BTCC podiums and Independents Trophy class victories in 2016, says he has never been as well prepared for a touring car season.

“I’m really happy with how testing has gone and I’m in a very good place,” he said.

“We already know we have fantastic partners on board with Duo and Northgate, as well as our other great sponsors, and I’m loving working with the Handy Motorsport guys – the Toyota has been running very well.

“I’ve never done so many miles in pre-season and we’ve learnt a lot about the new Dunlop tyre. We’ve got a good handle on things for qualifying and in race trim, and I’m confident we’re developing a strong all around package.”

Following the media day, which also provides the only officially timed collective test before the championship curtain-raiser, the opening three rounds of the new BTCC campaign will take place over the weekend of April 1-2 at Brands Hatch Indy.

Austin added: “Going into the new season, I’d say I’m quietly confident.

“I know how competitive this championship is, this will be my seventh year in the BTCC, and the depth of competition gets deeper and deeper every season.

“I’m not setting any expectations specifically, but we’re definitely in a good position to put up a damn good fight.”

Team principal Simon Belcher, who will this year combine his duties in the BTCC paddock and the day-to-day running of Handy Motorsport with participation in the British Jet Sport Championship, is equally satisfied with the pre-season touring car preparation.

He said: “Things are progressing nicely. I can really see we are starting to get the best out of Rob as a driver, and I think we are in for a strong season.

“He has hardly put a foot wrong throughout testing and is looking very comfortable in the car.”