Encke pushes on with plans

New team Encke Sport, backed by Premiership football goalkeeper Peter Enckleman, says its Vauxhall Astra Coupes will be ready to begin testing in the near future as negotiations with several potential drivers continue.

Team principal Ed Tilley said that its Astras – that as ‘works’ Vauxhall cars won a remarkable 62 times from 96 starts from 2001-04 – can continue to be competitive in the right hands.

“We’ve been busy working on the cars to give them an overhaul ahead of the new season and they will soon be ready to hit the track and do some testing,” said Tilley.

“While we are already talking to people, we are still interested to hear from anyone who is looking to make the move into the BTCC and are in a position to be able to offer partly-subsidised drives if the right person comes along.”

Tilley said the team aimed to use 2007 to gain an insight into the BTCC – Britain’s biggest motor racing championship – before switching to cars running to the latest FIA Super 2000 technical regulations in 2008.

He added: “Although we are using this year as a learning year, we have complete confidence that the cars will, with the right driver, be on the ball from the word ‘go’. We did have several options ate the beginning of the project, but opted for the proven race-winning Astras.

“We will spend this year learning everything there is to know about the BTCC in preparation for our S2000 assault in 2008.”