As the anticipation for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship starts to build, the high-profile setting of AUTOSPORT International at the NEC will see Trade Price Cars 2019-edition Audi S3 on display, giving motorsport fans a first view of the team’s stunning new look.

Having been completely rebuilt at the end of last season, the team are delighted to confirm that the chassis new-signing Jake Hill will drive has been completed ahead of schedule, and been made available for AUTOSPORT International, ahead of their testing programme that will start next month.

“The AUTOSPORT show is always greeted with bundles of anticipation at the beginning of the year. We are thrilled that our car is ready to go, and this just highlights how focused we are on getting the most out of our package prior to the season kicking off.” said Team Owner Dan Kirby.

“The guys and our technical partners AmD Tuning have done us proud. The preparation and research that is being done, especially with the engineers being able to already work with Jake (Hill) is incredibly exciting.”

A late invitation from the organisers saw the team able to bring the car as a welcome addition to the BTCC display that is also present at the show, giving the team and their new signing Jake Hill a chance to meet the fans and talk to the assembled media.

“It’s such a great feeling coming here having confirmed my deal well before Christmas” said Hill “and for the first time in my career coming to the show with the car I will be racing also here and ready to go!

“We’ve got several media interviews and meetings with our partners and the team, but hopefully I will also get a chance to say hello to some of the fans that always make the show so much fun.  This is such an exciting opportunity to race a car that I feel has huge untapped potential, with a team that are as determined and focused as I am on success. My relationship with my engineer and everyone in the team is already incredibly strong, and I feel happier and more focused than ever before. So here we are – car built, team ready, driver ready – bring on Brands in April!”

Team Principle Andy Wilmot will join Kirby, Hill and AmD Tuning Team Principle Shaun Hollamby at the NEC, and is equally as buoyant about how things are progressing for the Essex-based team.

“Everything is completely on schedule. Having signed Jake gives out a very important message that we are serious about success. I’ve known Jake for a long time and know what a talent he is, Dan has worked with him as a sponsor for the past couple of seasons, and Shaun has supported and run Jake since his Ginetta Junior days. So that’s a big deal. We have several very interesting conversations ongoing with drivers who we are evaluating to join the team, and some amazing partners who we are just finalising our plans with. Having the car on display is fantastic – it’s our ‘interim’ livery – we will reveal the final look and all of our partners at the TOCA Media Day in March – but we’re very pleased with how the car looks so far.

The Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3 BTCC car will be in Hall 3, with a fans competition running over the event, and Jake on hand during the show.

“AUTOSPORT is go and it’s great to be part of it again. Love it!” smiled Hill.