Photo: PSP Images

Team ES Racing planning to run two NGTCs in 2012

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2011 British Touring Car Championship newcomers plan to expand to switch from the S2000 Chevrolet Lacetti to two NGTC-specification cars for the 2012 season, though the team is not disclosing the model or who will be building the cars as yet.

32-year-old Chris James picked up two points in the BTCC independents’ Championship this year to be ranked in 23rd in that category, and picked up a best finish of 12th place in Round 6 of the season in a high attrition race at Donington Park.

The team competed with a ex-RML Chevrolet Lacetti, formerly used by Chevrolet Motorsport Sweden in the Swedish Touring Car Championship in the 2011 BTCC season.

The Bedfordshire-based team has now announced plans to switch to the BTCC’s Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) platform for 2012, but without disclosing their intended technical partner or the model of the car they intend to use.

So far, Honda Racing Team, Eurotech Racing and Triple Eight have announced plans to switch to full NGTC-specification in 2012 and join Rob Austin Racing, Speedworks Motorsport, Dynojet Racing, Thorney Motorsport and Welch Automotive in running the new car type.

Speaking at the MotorSport UK show at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry today, Team Principal and driver Chris James stated “We are delighted to be able to prove our long term commitment to the BTCC and to have not been a flash in the pan or a one season wonder.”

“Adding a second NGTC-spec car was always our intention and now this is almost in place it confirms our standing as one of the top flight teams in the BTCC.”