Beacon ready to light BTCC flame.

The annual British Touring Car launch day marked an historic occasion as an eight-week old team confirmed its entry and took to the track.

Beacon Motorsport set out its challenge for production class honours by fielding two Lotus Sport graduates at the wheel of its Honda Accords, as the BTCC officially kick-started the 2002 season at Brands Hatch.

Formed less than two months ago by British businessman, and former one-make racing specialist, Chris Boon, Beacon will run Spencer Marsh and Mark Thomas in a pair of ex-Barwell Motorsport Accords, and hopes that his wealth of on-track experience will bring instant rewards for the team.

"Although we will be the new boys on the block, we have put together an impressive package, which includes proven cars and drivers, supported by some superb sponsors and business partners," Boon explained.

"This combination provides Beacon Motorsport with the right ingredients to make a favourable impression in our first year of competing in the British Touring Car Championship."

The two Hondas have been updated to take full advantage of the series' revised technical regulations, and should, once again, prove to be pacesetters in the highly competitive production class.

The driving line-up blends youth and experience, despite both drivers being new to the BTCC. Twenty-three-year old Marsh and 25-year old team-mate Thomas both raced in the BTCC-supporting Lotus Elise Championship last season, with Marsh winning one race en route to fifth overall in the GT category and Welshman Thomas winning the production class outright on the back of five victories. The latter's prize drive with Barwell proved to be his springboard to the BTCC, having impressed the BTC-bound team in testing.

Marsh will be supported by his Lotus sponsor Anadin Ultra, while Thomas brings backing from the family-run specialist import business Baglan Car Centre.