Neil 01
2018 BTCC Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Pictured is an HMS Racing-entered Alfa Romeo Giulietta that competed in the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
After four years running Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyotas HMS Racing (formerly Handy Motorsport) decided to go their own way in 2018 with an all new car to the BTCC.
Although not a factory effort the project gained the blessing of Alfa Romeo and the Giulietta was chosen as the preferred model, built to NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) sepecification.
It also saw the Alfa Romeo name return to the BTCC for the first time since a trio of privateer 156s competed back in 2007.
Undoubtedly the most attractive car on the 2018 grid the white and green machine was driven by BTCC stalwart and race winner Rob Austin, staying with the team for a third successive season.
The car got off to a strong start during the opening weekend of the season. Although retiring from the opening race the car scored points for the first time by finishing sixth in the second race of the day.
The third race of the day (Round 3) saw the car claim it's maiden podium with Austin bringing the Giulietta home in third, the first podium finish for an Alfa Romeo since former BTCC Champion Tim Harvey brought a privateer 147 home third at Oulton Park in 2001.
That stand out result probably raised expectations prematurely. Although generally reliable the car could usually be found fighting in the middle of the pack collecting the minor points on offer.
Austin would finish seventh at Oulton Park, sixth at Snetterton and fifth at Silverstone later in the season but it was very much a learning year for the team.
There was some reward for the team at the end of the year with Austin taking another podium finish for third position in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch that would see the popular Englishman finish fourteenth overall in the standings.
Sadly, the team took the decision to sit out the 2019 season with a view to developing the car for a return to the championship in 2020.
The team did run during the official BTCC tests in 2019 with Austin at the wheel but the expected return to action in 2020 never materialized.
Pictured in January 2019 at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham.
2018 BTCC Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Pictured is an HMS Racing-entered Alfa Romeo Giulietta that competed in the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
After four years running Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyotas HMS Racing (formerly Handy Motorsport) decided to go their own way in 2018 with an all new car to the BTCC.
Although not a factory effort the project gained the blessing of Alfa Romeo and the Giulietta was chosen as the preferred model, built to NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) sepecification.
It also saw the Alfa Romeo name return to the BTCC for the first time since a trio of privateer 156s competed back in 2007.
Undoubtedly the most attractive car on the 2018 grid the white and green machine was driven by BTCC stalwart and race winner Rob Austin, staying with the team for a third successive season.
The car got off to a strong start during the opening weekend of the season. Although retiring from the opening race the car scored points for the first time by finishing sixth in the second race of the day.
The third race of the day (Round 3) saw the car claim it's maiden podium with Austin bringing the Giulietta home in third, the first podium finish for an Alfa Romeo since former BTCC Champion Tim Harvey brought a privateer 147 home third at Oulton Park in 2001.
That stand out result probably raised expectations prematurely. Although generally reliable the car could usually be found fighting in the middle of the pack collecting the minor points on offer.
Austin would finish seventh at Oulton Park, sixth at Snetterton and fifth at Silverstone later in the season but it was very much a learning year for the team.
There was some reward for the team at the end of the year with Austin taking another podium finish for third position in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch that would see the popular Englishman finish fourteenth overall in the standings.
Sadly, the team took the decision to sit out the 2019 season with a view to developing the car for a return to the championship in 2020.
The team did run during the official BTCC tests in 2019 with Austin at the wheel but the expected return to action in 2020 never materialized.
Pictured in January 2019 at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham.