Testing report
BTCC
Pre-season testing starts strongly for Belcher at Silverstone
During his first track appearance of the year, Simon Belcher enjoyed a trouble-free run...
Published: Feb 23, 2015, 8:15 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Simon Belcher got his pre-season testing programme for the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship underway with a strong run at Silverstone on Friday, 20th February – marking his first opportunity to experience significant set-up changes made over the winter to his Toyota Avensis.
With Speedworks Motorsport, the strength behind the Handy Motorsport team, having drafted in highly experienced race engineer Geoff Kingston at the end of last season, the renowned touring car expert has been working hard to make considerable improvements to Belcher’s car.
During his first track appearance of the year, the Swindon racer enjoyed a trouble-free run and says the Toyota is already handling and performing much better than during his rookie BTCC campaign in 2014. Most importantly, there are a series of other updates in the pipeline as testing continues over the coming few weeks.
I can’t wait for the first round, we have a lot of work to do over the coming weeks but everything is looking incredibly positive.
Simon Belcher
“We had a great day at Silverstone, it was fantastic to be back out on track and especially working with Geoff [Kingston] for the first time”, said Belcher, “The changes he has made to the car over the winter so far have improved it considerably, and there are lots more updates to come.
“I really am very upbeat after Friday’s test, everything went incredibly well and the car felt so much better than it did last year. We have lots more testing planned before the Media Day and I think we can deliver a far more competitive car this year based on what we’ve achieved so far.”
While Belcher will continue to receive key backing this year from 2014 sponsors KÄRCHER, Webb Garden Power, The Handy, Q Garden, Rocwood, TH White and Corbeau Seats, the new season livery on his Avensis won’t be unveiled for several weeks.
Aiming to make significant strides during his second year in the UK’s biggest and most popular motor racing championship, the double Renault UK Clio Cup Masters Cup Champion is justifiably confident of working his way up the BTCC grid this season.
“We’ve obviously only had one test up to now but the improvements Geoff has made really have given me huge confidence for the new season”, added Belcher, “I can’t wait for the first round, we have a lot of work to do over the coming weeks but everything is looking incredibly positive.”
Donington Park in Leicestershire will host the annual BTCC Media Day on Tuesday, 24th March, with Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy Circuit the venue for the opening three rounds of the 2015 season over the weekend 4th/5th April.
Simon Belcher / Handy Motorsport
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article The Toast of Daytona
Next article Rossi uses new gearbox to full advantage to lead in Sepang
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Simon Belcher
Neal holds off Jordan to win chaotic Donington finale
BTCC
BTCC
Donington Park
Neal holds off Jordan to win chaotic Donington finale
Turkington dominates eventful second Donington race
BTCC
BTCC
Donington Park
Turkington dominates eventful second Donington race
Plato romps to first BMR win at Donington
BTCC
BTCC
Donington Park
Plato romps to first BMR win at Donington
Latest news
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
IMSA
IMSA IMSA
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
15 min
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
24 min
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
29 min
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe