EVESHAM driver Rob Austin is targeting Handy Motorsport's best start to a campaign after a promising 2016 season in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The 2017 competition gets under way at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit this weekend.

At the timed pre-season test at Donington Park Austin steered the Toyota Avensis to a top-two time.

He believes he has a car capable of qualifying well and displaying consistent front-running race pace.

Austin said: “We’re confident we have a strong package. Our media day performance on old tyres proved we are in the ball park at least.

"What we don’t know is what the BMWs, Subarus and Hondas are going to do and that will only become clear this weekend.

“After struggling with right-rear tyre temperature in qualifying last year at Brands I’m realistic about expectations.

"The grid is going to be extremely competitive so a lot will depend on who does the best all-round job on the day and who reads the track conditions the best.

“I’ll be happy if we’re inside the top 10 in qualifying and we definitely have a package with the potential to do that. Race day is where I’m more confident and we will be targeting a solid points haul.”

Last season Austin’s maiden campaign as part of Handy Motorsport and first competing with front-wheel drive was a real breakthrough for the team with three podium finishes and two Independents Trophy wins.

He said: “A lot of where we went wrong last year was just down to a lack of experience.

"We chose the wrong tyre strategy in qualifying at Brands for a front-wheel drive car but we’ve learnt a huge amount and are a lot more confident this time round.

“Last year we perhaps underestimated how much we all had to learn. I’m confident we have a very good base to start from and am feeling cautiously optimistic.”

Meanwhile, Pershore's Halfords Yuasa Racing team-mates Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal are eager to confirm their pre-season potential.

Shedden concluded 2016 by fighting to his third title in dramatic fashion with Neal going into the thrilling season finale with a real shout of honours too.

The Honda Civic Type R has had a comprehensive development programme over the winter with particular attention focused on the new Dunlop Sport Maxx tyre introduced this year.

Shedden said: “Testing has gone well. There has been plenty of learning with the new Dunlop tyres but we’re getting our heads around it all and I’m in a reasonably happy place right now.

"The one thing we don’t know at this stage is how quick everybody else will be but what’s for sure is it’s going to be insanely close in qualifying at Brands with the whole field on zero ballast.”

Neal said: “This is the first year in a while we will arrive at the opening round with a sorted chassis and engine which bodes well.

"But the calibre of the field in 2017 will certainly make our lives harder. There are some very good driver-and-car combinations out there which is what everybody wants to see.

"I never like to be confident because I think it breeds complacency but I’m feeling good and three solid results at Brands has to be the goal.”