Volvo planning return to BTCC

The Swedish manufacturer, which last competed in the BTCC 10 years ago, was a race-winner in its domestic series last year in the maiden season of competition for the C30.

A British series attack, according to Volvo's director of motorsport Derek Crabb, is next on the agenda.

Crabb said: "After the success we've had in Sweden with the C30 with five poles and two wins for Robert Dahlgren, a couple of series' became interested in us. Britain is a market I'd really like to get into. It's a good chance to re-establish Volvo as a sporty brand, like it was before when we last a big presence in touring cars.

"It has to be a sponsor-led project and those sponsors need to fit in with our green image. Getting those in line is very important. I don't just want deals that will get us through a year. I want a three-year deal from sponsors and we're nearly there."

Crabb admitted that Volvo is running out of time to be on the grid in time for the Brands Hatch season-opener on April 5, but did not rule out the possibility of joining the series late, or even postponing the entry until 2010.

"There are a number of options available to us," he added. "But what I'm not prepared to do though is to go to the first round and do badly because we're not ready. It would only give Volvo a bad name."

No drivers have yet been confirmed for the project, although 2001 BTCC Champion Jason Plato has been linked to one of the seats.

Crabb would not confirm this, but did say: "We want to do this the right way and so we're looking at the very best drivers that are available to us. They must be able to represent Volvo in an appropriate way and develop the car further."

He also said that that four teams submitted bids to run the Volvo programme and that two, both with BTCC experience, remain in contention for the role.

Volvo first entered a works team in the BTCC in 1994 and the TWR-run squad achieved 21 wins in five years, guiding Rickard Rydell to the 1998 title along the way.