Team AFM and its drivers Rick Kerry and Nick Leason have announced that they will miss the start of the season in the HIQ MSA British Touring Car Championship as the team is to put their start to the BTCC Season on hold as they continue development of the BMW 120d.

Team PR spokesman Steve Collins announced “It’s unfortunate and disappointing but we have made the hard but right decision not to officially enter at this time as we need to continue in the development of our cars and need vital testing time which the team would not be able to achieve if we registered due to the testing ban which takes place”.

“We are moving forward positively and want to make sure the team and our drivers all move a huge step forward when we start to race. We now have a sequential gearbox and know what is needed regards our engine development programme, having support from Quaife and an experienced engine builder on board who both are working closely with us to achieve the best results. But we have just run out of time to complete testing and development to what we require”.