Pinkney confirms turbo Vectra for 2010
David Pinkney has confirmed plans to enter the ex-Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra into the 2010 BTCC using the new NGTC engine. The BTCC stalwart has purchased the former Triple Eight Engineering machine and will campaign the car under the guise of his own Pinkney Motorsport banner, with whom he has previously competed in the series.
The re-born Pinkney Motorsport will run the Vectra with the turbocharged Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) engine prepared by Swindon Racing Engines, following in the footsteps of Pirtek Racing who confirmed plans to run Andrew Jordan in an NGTC powered Vectra two weeks ago.
“It was great to drive for Dynamics last year”, said Pinkney, “And I had a thoroughly enjoyable time with the team, the opportunity to drive along side James (Thompson) and Johnny (Herbert) was the icing on the cake.
“I have however always enjoyed the challenge of running my own team and have achieved my best results when doing so”.
Speaking to TouringCarTimes on Tuesday ahead of the announcement, Pinkney confirmed his plans and predicted the switch to Vauxhall would result in an up turn in fortunes in 2010.
“I didn’t want to stay in the Honda as I don’t believe it will be competitive next season, and I think to be fair that in this Vauxhall it’ll be our best season yet in the BTCC.”
The 52-year-old confirmed he had looked at both the Chevrolet and the Ford, but ultimately elected to go with the Vectra, saying, “we feel we have a very competitive package as a result.”
Engineering Pinkney in the Vectra and in charge of preparation will be Chief Mechanic Ross Davis, who is already familiar with the car having worked for Triple Eight Engineering as a number one mechanic. Davis’ presence will also ensure the team maintains close ties with his former employers over the course of the season.
Returning to the position of Team Manager for the 2010 season will be Andrew Dean, Pinkney’s Team Manager during his successful 2006 season in the Honda Integra with the Motorbase team.
Confirming that a comprehensive test programme would begin just as soon as the team have the NGTC engine, Dean said, “Time spent testing the car pre-season will be very important both for David and the team, Ross will play a major role in the team as he has the knowledge and expertise on the car and the rest of the team will need the testing time to work with him”.
Pinkney began his BTCC career back in 1989 after two successful seasons in saloon car racing and has competed in a variety of machinery over the past 20 years, including the legendary Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 (1989), the BMW 318is Coupe (1993), an Alfa Romeo 156 (2007) and in recent seasons the Honda Integra and Honda Civic.
The team hope to unveil the “typical ‘Pinkney’ livery” to fans at the Autosport International Show in January. Stay tuned to TouringCarTimes for more on the subject.
