Welch Motorsport yesterday arrived at the Snetterton Circuit ready to embark on their Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship debut in the Next Generation Touring Car specification Proton Gen-2.

Dan Welch, the son of team boss John Welch, will take to the wheel of the Proton for the remainder of the season, a car manufacturer which was last seen in the BTCC back in 2004 with the works Proton Team. Dan started his career in the Formula Renault UK championship before making the switch to tin-tops in 2007, racing in the various Seat Leon championships around the globe.

The 29-year old will drive the Marriot Hotel sponsored Proton for the first time today as they take to the circuit for the first of two practice sessions following the shakedown yesterday evening.

Photo Credit: Pete Mainey (www.psmmotorsportimages.co.uk)

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.