Andy Priaulx has first test in WSR's British Touring Car BMW

The triple World Touring Car champion completed two days of running in the BMW 125i M Sport at Thruxton on Wednesday and Thursday and was delighted with the performance of the car.

"My first run in the car on Wednesday was like a rollout and first test all in one, and went really well," Priaulx told AUTOSPORT.

"Today was one of those tricky days with lots of rain, so we only had one good session this morning.

"But I got a good feeling for the car straight away and was immediately confident at what is an awkward track, as Thruxton is not the easiest place to go to get to know a good car, so it all came together well."

The conditions meant that laptimes were of limited use, but Priaulx is confident he will be able to extract the speed from the car to run at the front on his BTCC return after 13 years away.

"Obviously it's winter testing with traffic and changeable conditions, so it's difficult to get a solid read, but I feel pretty happy with my pace.

"As long as the package compared to the other cars is still competitive, I fell I can be where I need to be at the sharper end of the grid.

"So I just have to make sure I get my head around the BTCC."

This was also Priaulx's first test with the WSR squad, run by Dick Bennetts,

Having driven for some of the best tin-top teams in the world, including Schnitzer Motorsport and Racing Bart Mampaey, Priaulx has no doubt that WSR is a strong team.

"WSR will be right up there and considering this was our first test out of a long winter and with running three cars, as well as having a new engineer, it was positive," he said.

"I've got absolutely no concerns and am very happy with the team.

"It's just nice to be back in a touring car again, I feel like I'm coming home.

"Everybody has been great, the fans are really excited so there's a great buzz."