BTCC reveals 'NGTC' rules for 2011

The main change to the initial NGTC regulations unveiled last June, is that rear-wheel drive cars, such as the BMW 320si, will now be allowed.

Initially, only Super 2000-spec versions of the machine were permitted to race in 2011.

"After we released details of the NGTC program last year, I stated that we would revisit the question of incorporating rear-wheel drive in the regulations if there was enough interest or commitment from teams and manufacturers of rear-wheel drive cars to support it," said BTCC series director Alan Gow.

"Having now had those discussions, I'm confident that there is and so we have now included it."

GPR Motorsport, run by former Audi Sport UK men Gary Blackham and Roger King, has been commissioned to carry out the design and prototype manufacture of both the front and rear subframes and has also won the tender to provide those components to teams.

The brakes will come from AP, while Xtrac and Cosworth will provide the gearboxes and electronics.

A prototype car version of the car, which should cost around £100,000 minus an engine, will be tested and developed during the second half of the year and will also run in the free practice sessions for the season finale at Brands Hatch in October.

"Tremendous progress has been made and we are right on schedule. It is genuinely exciting to see how the car is developing - it will be a fantastic piece of kit!" Gow added.

"At the culmination of the design & development program, our teams will have a comprehensive package of component assemblies around which they can more easily build, individualise and develop their own chosen car.

"And at around £100k, plus engine, they will then have a better car - which is easier to maintain and has greater performance potential - at about half the cost of a current one. It's a win-win situation for everyone."