The newly-formed A-Tech team’s new British Touring Car Championship-bound Alfa Romeo 156 made its UK track debut when Richard Marsh shook down the car at Silverstone last week. In mixed conditions, Marsh gently completed exploration laps with the voluptuous Italian machine – built to the same latest 2007 specification as Alfa’s World Touring Car Alfa 156s by the N-Technology team.

However, team-mate Dave Pinkney will have to wait until at least next week before he gets a run – his car is being transported from Italy to A-Tech’s Coventry workshops this weekend. Although the Alfas’ arrival in the UK comes late, both cars are expected to emerge as front-runners on this year’s 26-strong grid.

Meanwhile with emerging Irish talent Eoin Murray’s 2005-spec version, being run by Quest Racing, there will be three of the legendary Italian marque’s cars represented in this year’s BTCC which willl start at Brands Hatch on 1 April. Rising star Eoin Murray says he’ll be proud to fly the Irish flag in this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Dubliner Murray will again race his Alfa Romeo 156 for the Quest Racing team and believes top six results are possible after instantly emerging as top ten runner when he debuted mid-way through last year.

He told BTCC.net this week: “I’d like to think top six results are achievable but I need to see what every one else’s car can do. There so many quick cars and drivers this year and it’s going to be tougher than in 2006. My Alfa isn’t 2007-spec like the new A-Tech cars, but there’s not that much difference and I should have a few updates in time for Rockingham.
 

"I also think that there’s no team on the grid that could prepare the Alfa better than Quest so I’m very happy to be sticking with them. I think it’s very important that Ireland is represented in the BTCC because it’s so high-profile with a lot of television coverage. It being on Setanta Sports is great news for me in 2007. It’s not that old, but it’s an Irish-owned channel and already very popular here.”

Murray, aged 24, is going to need all his skills – that have carried him to a European Alfa one-make title and plenty of podium finishes in the BTCC-supporting Renault Clio Cup – to come out of the season unscathed. He added: “Our budget is extremely tight and that does have an effect on your thinking when you’re racing – you might think twice about taking a lunge up the inside of someone in case you badly damage the car. The aim will be to get through the season without accidents. Last year I got hit a lot and had to miss a round. It also means we’ll be going cold into the first rounds at Brands Hatch with no testing – our budget is that tight – but at least we’ve got some data from there last year. It’s when we get to the really fast circuits like Donington Park and Thruxton that the car will be at its strongest.”