Astra returns to the BTCC

The Vauxhall Astra has had a successful history in the British Touring Car Championship, having been used to help secure five drivers’ titles in the past. And now the model is set to return to the series, in full Next Generation Touring Car specification.

It’s not going to be a works entry, though. Rather, the NGTC Astra is being developed by privateer team AmDTuning.com, which has campaigned a Super 2000 Volkswagen Golf in the BTCC for the last three years.

Vauxhall Astra GTC NGTC 2013 (Rendering) Front Side

Because the Astra programme has only just been finalised, a full specification has yet to be decided. Although the plan is to run the TOCA engine that’s already used by several competitors, the team may end up basing the car on a five-door bodyshell rather than the three-door GTC version seen in the rendering, for instance. AmDTuning.com expects the Astra to be ready in time for a 2013 mid-season debut, with its Golf continuing in service until then.

Team principal Shaun Hollamby commented: “When I first saw the Astra I thought it would make a fantastic BTCC car and I’m excited about this new programme. The Astra is a good size with strong aerodynamics and fits well into the regulations, which seem to favour the smaller and more nimble cars.

“While we have been thinking about this move for some time, the fact that the programme has come together now means we will focus on developing the Astra for the second half of the season, giving us the chance to build the car and do some testing before giving it its race debut.

“We are talking with Ollie Jackson and would love to keep him onboard as he did a great job last year and showed that he deserves his place in the BTCC, but we are also interested in speaking to other drivers who are interested in competing in the series this season.

“While our plan at the moment is to start the year with the Golf before introducing the Astra, we could run the Volkswagen for the full season if the right driver comes along who wants to compete for the Jack Sears Trophy. With the reduced boost levels that the S2000 cars will run to, it will be a competitive package for a driver who doesn’t quite have the budget to go with an NGTC programme.”

So, for now the driver line-up remains unconfirmed, but AmDTuning.com is hoping to be able to announce some names in the near future.

Related posts:
2013 BTCC calendar
2012 BTCC entries

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