Andy Neate's new IP team to miss Brands Hatch BTCC opener
Andy Neate's new IP Race Engineering squad will miss the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch
The outfit, which was established by former MG works driver Neate during the winter, will instead debut at Donington Park's second round in April with a single NGTC Chevrolet Cruze for the team boss.
Neate said the decision was taken to ensure the Cruze was 100 per cent race-ready.
"We've had to take the decision to miss the first race meeting but, with all the challenges we've faced so far, it's absolutely the right thing to do," said Neate.
"Arriving at the first round at Brands without any testing in a brand-new car, with a new engine developed specifically for us, would be foolish."
Neate also confirmed that his team will expand to run a second Cruze later in the season. No driver has been confirmed for the extra car.
"We said from the beginning that this was a long-term project and the objective was to be competitive against the best in the business," he said.
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| Series | BTCC |
| Teams | BTC Racing |
| Author | Jamie O'Leary |
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