Chilton happy with Spanish test

New boy at Team Halfords, Tom Chilton, returned from pre-season testing in Spain knowing that he was quickest in his first serious outing in the Civic.
The team joined VX Racing in travelling to the Almeria circuit in Southern Spain to take advantage of more favourable conditions, which meant Chilton was able to drive the Honda Civic in the dry for the first time as his previous test at Donington before Christmas was on a damp track.

Tom left Spain knowing that he posted the quickest time of all five drivers attending, as VX Racing concentrated on handling improvements and getting their new drivers acclimatised to the Championship winning Vectra.

Over the course of the time in Spain, Chilton spent time testing new parts on the Civic and carrying out tyre work for Dunlop and admitted he was pleased with how it had gone.

“Spain was awesome,” he told Crash.net. “I got on really well with the guys and the car just did everything I wanted it to do. The engineers were very good and the mechanics were ace at turning things around and getting stuff done.

“This is my seventh year in the BTCC and my fourth team and I am so impressed with how well Dynamics work. The speed at which they do stuff is incredible and the car felt bloody fast! I did a series of race runs, which were really consistent, and some qualifying runs which were quick. The Honda is just a great car and its real strength is under braking and when you turn-in, which is really important in touring car racing.

“I feel even more confident now I’ve had more time in the car and have had the chance to run alongside other people. I think some people have forgotten how quick I am but after this test, I’m really buzzing about the season ahead.”

Chilton’s team-mate Gordon Shedden and Vauxhall trio Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole were also present in Spain, with Onslow-Cole having his first outing in the Vectra.