4:39pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
CHELSFIELD racing driver Shaun Hollamby will take on a dual role as his AmD Milltek Sport team prepares to enter the prestigious Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Hollamby, who is managing director of performance tuning company AmD Essex, will act as both a driver and team owner this year.
Based at Lakeside, AmD formed its own Volkswagen-backed race team in 1990, winning several championships with VW Golfs built and tuned by the company.
In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, AmD ran SEAT Leons in the Dunlop Sportmaxx Cup, winning the championship last year.
For 2010, AmD Milltek Sport will enter the British Touring Car Championship with a VW Golf, the first appearance of a Volkswagen in the BTCC for over 20 years.
“We have been working on a plan to move up to the BTCC after winning the Dunlop Sportmaxx Cup in 2009 and a VW Golf is a perfect fit,” said Hollamby, who will be the team’s main driver.
“We are really proud to be bringing the Volkswagen name back into top-line Touring Cars.
“The VW Golf is one of the UK’s most popular cars and it would be great to see hordes of Golf owners cheering us on throughout the year.”
Hollamby is under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead.
“This is a huge challenge for us,” he revealed.
“The BTCC is the peak of British motorsport and has massive history. This is what makes it so exciting.
“Starting with a new car package, we expect 2010 to be a gradual development season but I am confident I can get a few competitive results.
“Winning races is not a realistic target at this stage but, having won races in every series in which I have competed, I would like to think I can hold my own at this level.
“I’m confident that the car will be a credible performer when it hits the track.”
The team is aiming to give the car a systems shakedown at Brands Hatch this week, ahead of full tests at Snetterton and Brands, before making a first public appearance at the BTCC’s official Media Day and test session at Brands on March 23.
Round one of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place at Thruxton, Hants, on April 4.
Fans will be able to follow Team AmD Milltek Sport’s fortunes with all races in the series being broadcast live on ITV4 and two of the 10 rounds will be contested at Brands Hatch.
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