Leading BTCC drivers call for NGTC cars to be pegged back

NGTC was introduced by series boss Alan Gow this season as a low-cost way into the BTCC. Initially the cars were off the pace, but Frank Wrathall's Dynojet NGTC Toyota Avensis and the Audi A4 NGTC of Rob Austin qualified third and fourth at Knockhill this afternoon.

By filling row two, the machines have separated Gordon Shedden (Dynamics Honda Civic), Jason Plato (RML Chevrolet Cruze) and Mat Jackson (Motorbase Ford Focus) from title rival Matt Neal's Honda.

Some competitors believe the NGTC cars, which run 1.8 bar turbos compared to the 1.6 and 1.5 levels of S2000 turbos, have been allowed to be too fast in a straight line to make up for a chassis deficit.

Shedden said: "We've been beaten by the rules. They're equalising teams and cars, which I didn't think was supposed to happen.

"The NGTC cars have got bigger tyres, bigger brakes and are quicker in a straight line so I don't know how I'm going to pass them.

"I'm sure Alan is looking at everything all the time, but it's getting to crunch time now."

But Austin said: "I don't think it should be a surprise - we've been improving round by round.

"We're running the same boost as we ran at Brands [the season opener in April] and our car is heavier [than the non-NGTC cars].

"They promised parity. We haven't had it so far and we haven't kicked up a fuss. They've made it clear NGTC is the future."

Gow has previously stated he will adjust cars as he aims for parity, but no decision on tomorrow's races has yet been announced.