Turbo Vectra for Pinkney

Hertfordshire-based Pinkney has acquired the ex-factory Vauxhall Vectra raced by former double BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi. It will be fitted with one of the BTCC’s new two-litre turbocharged engines that will power the series’ future breed of Next Generation Touring Cars when they appear in 2011.

And he predicts with a self-run Vectra he will be in a position to challenge for his first race win in the BTCC having contested the championship on and off since the late Eighties. Pinkney's age has been a matter of speculation over many seasons, but at 57 it is safe to say he would become the oldest driver in BTCC history – indeed, probably all touring car competition – to achieve victory.

Pinkney, the former Luton Town FC chairman, told btcc.net: “The car is absolutely stunning and I still believe I’m as competitive as anyone else out there, so why can’t I win races?

“I’m going to be in a car that has been developed by one of the best teams ever to have taken part in the BTCC, I’ll have Fabrizio’s data to work with and compare myself against and I’ll be in control of choosing the car’s set-up and race strategy.”

Notably, Pinkney Motorsport will be team-managed by former Luton FC managing director Andrew Dean, while it has already recruited Ross Davis – former number one mechanic at Triple Eight Engineering which was behind Vauxhall’s Vectra project. Pinkney added: “Ross will be in charge of preparation of the car and we will maintain close ties with Triple Eight over the season. Andrew was my team manager in 2006 with the Honda Integra – he and I have worked together for many years so it’s a great partnership.

“At last I feel I can go racing the way I want to and will be free to call the shots with my own team. I would like to think that my experience and knowledge of car set up will enable us to be right up there.”

Pinkney’s car has yet to be unveiled, but when it is fans can expect a stunning livery which will incorporate his trademark splash of pink.

Notably, Pinkney becomes the second driver in two weeks to commit to the NGTC engine that BTCC organiser TOCA is permitting some teams to trial next season. Former VXR driver Andrew Jordan has already announced he is to enter an NGTC-engined Vectra run by his family-run Jordan Sport team.

Pinkney’s race career in the BTCC dates back to the late Eighties, although only in the past decade has he put together a run of consecutive seasons in the championship.

In 2006, the Harpenden racer achieved a career-best result in the BTCC with a third place at Knockhill as well as a fastest lap at Thruxton. Other cars he has raced include an iconic flame-spitting turbocharged Ford RS500 in 1989, a BMW in 1993, an Alfa Romeo 147 in 2001, an Alfa Romeo 156 in 2007 and a Honda Civic alongside former BTCC champion James Thompson and Formula 1 star Johnny Herbert in 2009.