AmD Millteksport are the latest of a number of new teams entering the BTCC for 2010. AmD Essex are a tuning business which help in maximising your cars potential to your needs. We caught up with Shaun Hollamby, the Managing Director of AmD Essex, after the Autosport International show this weekend and spoke to him about the 2010 British Touring Car Championship.

Q: You’ve entered the BTCC for 2010. What made you make that step up from the Dunlop Sport Maxx?

Once we had won the Dunlop Sportmaxx Cup it seemed a natural progression however we don’t underestimate the challenge that the BTCC presents.

Q: A Volkswagen hasn’t been seen in the BTCC for over 20 years. What made you choose the Golf which is unproven in the BTCC when many of the cars which are on the grid have a history in this sort of racing.

The first box that has to be ticked from our 2010 BTCC campaign is value for money publicity-wise. The choice of car drives that fundamental criterior of any AmD Millteksport racing programme. The VW Golf is the most popular car that we provide road-tuning for and the last week has proved publicity benefits of choosing a car that is “newsworthy” rather than just available.

Q: The BTCC will be in a transitional period this season with the NGTC-specification cars allowed to compete alongside the older S2000-spec cars in preparation for the rule change in 2013. Did you discuss the possibility of developing a car to the NGTC regulations like a few of your competitors have already done?

I think TOCA is always ahead of the game when it comes to keeping the BTCC sustainable and entertaining. Alan Gow has proved this over many years. NGTC regs will keep the BTCC at the forefront of touring car action.

However AmD Millteksport are entering the BTCC with a S2000 spec car because our budget would not be big enough to develop and run a brand new project. I would like to think that in the future we will be in a position to build and develop our own cars.

Q: Reports suggest that you may be entering two cars in the BTCC. What’s the likelihood that AmD will roll out a pair of cars at the first race of the season?

Mmmmm, Nil! We will be a 1 car team in 2010 with myself being the primary driver. We have very close links with the Dunlop Race Academy and we would be keen to run our Dunlop Sportmaxx Cup champion, Simon Shaw, in a partial season subject to budget. We also had many interested drivers talk to us at the Autosport show who have a budget that may allow them to compete in a handful of races in 2010.

Q: With many teams cutting back and pulling out of racing altogether it’s nice to see some new teams enter the frame. Has it been hard trying to find the financial backing for the team?

All forms of motorsport have been feeling the pinch and the BTCC is no exception. However the level of coverage that the BTCC creates, combined with TOCA’s efforts, will ensure that the BTCC weathers the storm.

I have entered the BTCC with my eyes open and I am in a unique position where my company, AmD Essex, benefits directly from our motorsport involvement. Motorsport has a direct connection with our performance tuning brand and the publicity value far outweighs the budget.

Our confirmed sponsors so far- Milltek, KW and Forge- also see the benefits of our BTCC programme and we will be announcing further sponsors over the coming weeks.

Q: You’ve already commented that you’re not looking to win any races this season but what’s your goal for 2010?

At the end of 2010 I want to be able to say that AmD Millteksport ran a professional BTCC programme which was a success from a promotional viewpoint and also showcased our ability to run touring cars at this level.

The high level of both the teams competing and also the drivers in the BTCC ensures that any results we achieve in 2010 will be hard won!

Q: This past weekend you attended the Autosport International Show. What was it like knowing that you’re going to be participating in Britains top racing series this season?

I have been attending the Autosport show, in its various guises, since I was a kid. I was dragged along by my Dad when he was racing in the 70’s and 80’s so it’s a real buzz to be representing the Hollamby name in the BTCC, the UK’s premier race series.

Head over to the AmD Essex website by going to www.amdessex.com.

Photo Credit: Pete Mainey

James Mappin is the editor-in-chief covering the British Touring Car Championship. You can contact him at james@btcccrazy.co.uk, on twitter @BTCCCrazy or on his personal twitter account @jamesmappin.