Honda confirms 2011 presence

The Japanese organisation has announced that Team Dynamics, which has prepared the Civics for Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden this season, will again run the cars.

"After another positive year of racing, we are delighted to commit to the BTCC for 2011," said Honda UK's managing director David Hodgetts.

"Almost 90 per cent of the Honda cars we sell in this country are built in the UK, so we believe it's important to support a national championship. We can't wait to get back on track next year with another competitive Civic race car."

Honda returned to the BTCC as a works entrant this year after an absence of six years and has been a consistent front-running team.

It's squad is the favourite to win the BTCC teams' championship and the manufacturers'/constructors' crown while Neal and Shedden are both in with a realistic chance of becoming drivers' champion at this weekend's Brands Hatch season finale.

Team Dynamics team principal Steve Neal said: "We're very pleased that Honda is giving us the opportunity to continue to run its team in the 2011 BTCC.

"To gain the endorsement of Honda is testament to the hard work put in by our team, and, of course, the results achieved. We know results matter and expect to be challenging for championship honours again next year."

Neal Sr revealed to AUTOSPORT last month that the team will switch from normally-aspirated Super 2000 engines to NGTC-spec turbocharged units next year.

Long-time engine partner Neil Brown Engineering will prepare the units.