Former VX Racing engine chief Raphael Caille has become Managing Director of Swindon Racing Engines – appointed recently by the British Touring Car Championship to design and build the new TOCA-NGTC engine.

Frenchman Caille spent the past decade in charge of engine development with the VXR team – in that time it won 20 titles (drivers, teams, manufacturers) with its Vauxhall Astra and Vectra racers.

He takes over as MD at Swindon from company owner Gary Dunn. Swindon will be responsible for the BTCC's new highly cost-effective TOCA-branded NGTC engine that is now available for teams to use on a lease basis. This turbocharged unit will effectively halve teams' engine budgets.

The newly-formed Pirtek Racing and Pinkney Motorsport teams have already announced they will use the engine in their Super 2000-spec Vauxhall Vectras in 2010, with some other teams also planning to use the engine this year.

The engine will be used on a much wider scale in 2011 when full-spec NGTC cars begin to appear in the championship.

Caille commented: “It is an honour to take over the wheel of such a well respected name in the engine business and I am excited about the challenge ahead.

“Our recent new business wins to develop and build the TOCA engine for the new BTCC regulations, as well as a new V6 GT race engine for a British car manufacturer, prove what a strong base we have, with plenty of potential in the future.”