Gordon Shedden keen to give Civic Type-R a great showing

Gordon Shedden says the deal to run the new Honda Civic Type-R in the 2015 BTCC will increase the weight of expectation on his team’s shoulders, as they look to showcase one of the Japanese marque’s prize assets.

The new Type-R hasn’t been released for sale as a road car yet, but has turned its first laps as a racing car in the hands of Shedden and Matt Neal.

The pair completed 11 and 35 laps respectively at Donington Park today, with Shedden’s running curtailed by an issue which saw the car return to the pits on the back of a low-loader.

The 2012 champion drove the car for the first time today, and gave his initial assessment to TouringCarTimes.

“I think it’s got a lot of potential, put it that way. The car is very late, you can’t deny that. But it’s certainly got all the right ingredients to be a good bit of kit,” said Shedden.

“The Type-R is something that Honda is keen to promote, with it being their new car for this year. But it’s also something they’re very protective of.

“They don’t take it lightly, but they obviously have the confidence we’ll do a good job. With that, I guess, brings a bit of extra pressure.

“We’ve got to deliver as best we can. It’s a stunning looking road car and in race trim it looks great.”

Shedden ended the day 18th on the timesheets, 1.547 away from Jason Plato’s fastest time.