Honda Racing confirms Civic Type-R for 2003.

Honda (UK) has confirmed that it will be renewing its attack on the British Touring Car Championship with a pair of Civic Type Rs and a familiar engineering base in 2003.

After an absence of one year, Honda returned to the UK's premier race series at the start of the 2002 season with a pair of race-prepared Civics and, despite the severe testing restrictions imposed on competing teams, the were quick to impress. Andy Priaulx scored the Civic's maiden win at Knockhill in August, and team-mate Alan Morrison underlined Honda's increasing prowess by winning the season finale in dominant style at Donington Park in September.

Keen to build on this fast start and also to maximise the many lessons learned during the Civic's debut campaign, Honda will again contest the 2003 BTCC with Arena Motorsport, the team responsible for the Type-R's victorious achievements during 2002. Full details regarding next season's driver line-up will be announced at a later date.

"Honda has an enviable racing pedigree both within the UK and internationally, and we are thrilled to be announcing our continued commitment to this exciting touring car programme," said Paul Ormond, head of Press and PR at Honda (UK), "By the end of the 2002 season, the racing version of the Civic Type-R had started to emulate its award-winning showroom counterpart. We are now optimistic that we can build on these early successes and become a serious title contender in 2003."