SWINDON'S DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing is aiming to build on a fine start to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season at rounds four, five and six at Donington Park this weekend.

Driver Rob Austin took the team's Alfa Romeo Giulietta on to the podium at the opening meeting at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit earlier this month and is currently fourth in the standings, a position that means the Giulietta will have to carry 48kg of ‘success’ ballast this weekend.

“Donington is a track I’ve always gone well on, I’ve won there in pretty much everything I’ve driven and last year we managed to stick the old Toyota on pole position so I’m looking forward to being back there”, said Austin.

“Where, normally, I would be hoping to repeat last year’s pole position and aim for race wins, I’m very aware we’ll be carrying a substantial lump of lead in a car which we still don’t fully understand. I said last time out (at Brands Hatch) we are only really scratching the surface when it comes to this car’s potential, and that still rings true as we head to Donington.”

Austin was one of those to take the car for an official test day at Hampshire's Thruxton circuit last week but added: “Although the official Thruxton test was useful, Thruxton is a very, very different circuit where we also use a different tyre so most of the data we gather is only relevant to that specific circuit.

“Unfortunately, that test meant we were unable to fit in a more relevant test day as well.

“So, for Donington, my expectations are realistic. I’m hoping we can get in a solid points-scoring weekend for now and once we have opportunity to start unlocking some potential in the DUO Motorsport with HMS Alfa Romeo, we’ll be aiming for wins.”

Team principal Simon Belcher added: “We’re looking forward to Donington but we are still testing and developing the Alfa Romeo so we’ll just have to wait and see what it brings.

"Every time we hit the track at this stage it’s just another test for us, we could be fastest or last depending how the new car reacts to changes, but we are focusing on the big picture and developing a front running car.”

Opening free practice at Donington takes place from 9.30am on Saturday, with round four of the championship taking place on Sunday at 11.35am, with round five at 2.40pm and round six at 5.25pm.

All three races will be screened live on ITV4.