New engine for Hughes.

After the disappointment of the media day last week, Jason Hughes has confirmed that he will have a new engine in his MG ZS ready for the opening rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend.

Hughes made the long trip from Lancashire down to Brands Hatch for the launch of the 2006 season only for his test session to come to an end after just three laps when the V6 engine in his striking new look Kartworld Racing entry gave up the ghost - leaving the team owner/driver watching on frustrated from the sidelines as his rivals clocked up the miles.

However with a new engine in place for the opening rounds of the year, Hughes said he was looking to try and secure some points from the Brands Hatch weekend before heading to the second meeting at Mondello Park - a circuit where he has always gone well in the past.

"It was a dismal day for us, but everything's fine now," Hughes told btcc.net. "I felt the engine start to give up going through Paddock Hill Bend and pulled over at Druids. Three laps - I couldn't believe it and there was some pretty colourful language inside the car!

"To be honest, I'm looking beyond Brands to Mondello Park. That's where our season should, hopefully, really start. If our plans work out, the V6 will be replaced with a four cylinder engine which I've been after for some time. I reckon at some circuits that will be worth more than a second a lap and Mondello is a circuit I love driving.

"But even though we didn't get any set-up time last week, I'm still looking forward to Brands. I think we can get in among the mid-field and, who knows, if there's a bit of trouble ahead of us, the odd point might be on the cards."