Photo: PSP Images

Welch Motorsport Proton makes BTCC debut

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The fourth Next Generation Touring Car has taken to the track in Norfolk, and that’s the Proton Gen-2 of new team Welch Motorsport with Dan Welch at the wheel.

The Proton was 25th fastest of the 26 runners, just seven tenths of a second behind the older BTC-specification Honda Integra Type-R of Lea Wood, and faster than Chris James’ ES Racing Chevrolet Lacetti.

Welch was happy with the progress that team has made, with the car only started for the first time at a shakedown run yesterday.

“The aim was always to get to the Snetterton round,” said Welch to TouringCarTimes.

“We haven’t quite got here in the fashion we wanted – we’re not quite as organised and everything, but we’re here and everyone from the team and the guys from GPRM all worked really hard to get us here and so far everything all seems to be okay.”

“For us it’s a new car, new circuit – I haven’t actually raced anything myself for six months so I’m a bit rusty and need a few laps to get back into it.”

“We’re going to come here use it as a shakedown, learn what’s going on, learn the car – it’s a totally new concept for everybody so we need to learn and we’re already a bit closer than we thought we’d be, so it can’t be bad.”