More power to teenage talent Boardman.

Britain's youngest touring car driver Tom Boardman gets a new lease of life this weekend for rounds eleven and twelve of the MSA British Touring Car Championship for, when he takes to the track at Donington Park, his BTC Production class Peugeot 306 GTi6 will feel like a brand new car.

The change is mainly thanks to an engine blow out in the previous race at Mondello Park, which has required a new unit to be placed in the distinctive pink Peugeot. Boardman had used the same unit all year, from pre-season testing to the last races, before it eventually threw in the towel at the series' Irish away day - about five races after it should have expired. Far from being disappointed, however, 17-year old Boardman knows it means a fresh engine for the next outing, giving more power to his right foot.

The new engine was in place for yesterday's test outing at Snetterton, Norfolk, and it helped. Boardman finished fifth quickest in his class - his highest test day placing yet. He also recorded the fastest speed in the BTC Production class through the circuit's speed trap.

"Having a new engine is fantastic, the car feels so much more powerful," he reported, "It was definitely beginning to get a little tired with the old engine. My times, especially in qualifying, should improve now as they did in the test at Snetterton. If I can keep that up, anything is possible.

"I've set myself a goal of getting into the top five this weekend. That's my aim in qualifying, but I don't want to make any predictions for the race. If I can do that in qualifying, then I'll be happy. If a podium comes in the race it will be great, but I just want to make sure I get into and stay in that top five."

Boardman, in a team run by his father John, is also confident the replacement engine will even improve his starts, already among the best of the BTC Production runners. So far this year, the talented teenager has improved four places on average by the end of the first lap - all to do with his perfect startline getaways.

"The new engine should respond better so, if I get it right again this weekend, I think I'll be a lot quicker off the line," he smiles.