Special Tuning to expand team

The Lancashire-based squad, which ran Tom Boardman to ninth place in the independents' championship this year, is also switching to NGTC-spec engines for 2011.

No drivers have yet been named for the programme, although AUTOSPORT understands that Boardman will test both cars in the UK and Spain before the end of the year.

Boardman, whose father John runs Special Tuning UK, told AUTOSPORT: "It's exciting to be going to two cars full time. We've had two cars since last year but only had the opportunity to race them once [at Silverstone where Phil Glew partnered Boardman].

"I'm the reserve driver at the moment. We need two drivers with budgets, and that applies to me too, so I have to find some backing if I want to race next year."

The squad plans run back-to-back tests of the TOCA engine and a turbocharged SEAT NGTC-spec unit during the winter, before deciding which to run next year.

Team principal John Boardman believes that the squad can compete for the independents' championship in 2011.

"We had a challenging season in 2010 using the underpowered S2000 engine, so we have taken the decision to use an NGTC engine.

"This, fitted to the highly-proven Leon chassis, will give us the engine performance required to compete for the independents' title in 2011 and battle for race wins," he said.

"We are working with a very successful engine builder on the project, the engine is due to run for the first time next week and we will then begin an intensive test programme both in the UK and Spain.

"This will ensure we are competitive from the start of next year's championship."