BTCC racer Luke Davenport completed his first official test day back behind the wheel of a touring car joining the Motorbase Performance squad at Norfolk’s Snetterton circuit.

The 24-year-old regained his MSA racing licence just last week following his season-ending horror smash at Croft circuit in June, which left him with multiple injuries and in an induced coma for almost two weeks.

The Cambridgeshire driver has worked hard on his rehabilitation and has remained in constant contact with the Kent-based Motorbase outfit. Team Boss David Bartrum has been supportive of Luke’s eagerness to return to touring car racing and invited the DUO-backed racer to sample his squad’s most recent addition to the Motorbase stable, the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR at his local circuit.

“It’s a great feeling to see Luke back out in one of our cars;” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “After the crash earlier this year, it really is a happy ending to the season. It was quite emotional watching him go up the pit lane for the first time today. Thinking back to when I saw him in hospital straight after the crash and then subsequently what he’s gone through to get here today – it’s amazing the amount of ground that he’s covered so quickly.

“I’m very happy to say that Luke’s driven one of my cars today at a circuit at a decent pace and most importantly that he looks well. The old Luke is back!”

“It’s great for my head to get back out in the car again;” added Davenport. “I was definitely erring on the side of caution. After a cautious warming up of the tyres it was like putting an old pair of boots on, I haven’t forgotten my technique and it was just like getting back into a normal test session again.”

“The plan is to focus on getting back out fully next year;” he added. “Today has been brilliant, not just mentally but also for my physio and we have a few target areas to work on to make sure that that I’m absolutely fit for next season. It’s been a fantastic opportunity that David has given me to let me go out there and show everyone that I’m back, working hard for next year and ready to go.”

Martin Depper also sampled the new TCR machine for the first time, sharing seat duties with his 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team-mate. The 49-year-old is currently considering options for the 2018 season and was keen to test the Golf GTI.