If Motorsport eyes BTCC Punto entry

The Scottish-based outfit is likely to run a pair of Abarth Grande Puntos built to the BTCC's new low-cost NGTC rules package, and powered by the turbocharged TOCA petrol engine.

"The Abarth is the most likely car that we'll run, but we are still talking to two other manufacturers," team boss Bryce Wilson told AUTOSPORT.

"Obviously we know time's against us, and I think it's unlikely that we'll be ready for the start of the season. But I'm sure that with some decent testing in the bag, then we can be competitive once we do get on track."

No drivers have yet been signed for the project. Wilson, a former Renault Spider Cup champion and Nissan BTCC test driver, will carry out much of the development work himself.

Wilson said that the BTCC's NGTC rules package, which is due to come into force in 2011, was influential in his decision to expand his team's programme from sportscars-only to include tin-tops.

"It obviously makes our chances of not only getting there, but also of being competitive, far higher," he added. "We're a professional team and I think that we can do a good job, but we need to expand the team and set our budget first so we know what we're aiming for."

If Motorsport was established in 2005 and has spent most of its life competing in sportscar championships. The squad has been a regular winner in the UK and European VdeV series and took the teams' title in the UK series in '08.