Team RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole faced the media  at Rockingham on Tuesday for the traditional Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship curtain raiser before recording impressive lap times in afternoon testing.

Championship challenger, Colin Turkington, who finished third in the overall drivers' championship and second in the independent championship last season, was the focus of attention as he appeared on stage to unveil the new season to assembled journalists.

For last year's Clio Cup champion, Tom Onslow-Cole, the day’s experience was a real taster of what he can now expect as he gears up for his debut season as a Team RAC driver. Cameras from recently confirmed BTCC broadcasters, ITV, were on hand to capture his first appearance in Team RAC colours.

The afternoon's official testing session meant the drivers could get down to the serious business of putting in valuable time behind the wheel of the BMW 320si E90. It also provided a good opportunity for Team RAC to get re-acquainted with a circuit that hasn't featured on the BTCC calendar since 2003.

Sharing laps in the 2006 loan car, the two Team RAC drivers recorded very positive performances. Colin Turkington posted the third fastest lap, with a time of 1m24.938s, while new signing Tom Onslow-Cole notched up a 1m26.170s best, putting him in ninth position.

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, commented: "Tuesday's session was very pleasing, with both drivers recording competitive times. Colin was just 0.13s off the fastest lap of the day and Tom made a very encouraging start in his first official test session. Due to timings, we didn't run a set of new tyres for Tom. It was a good start for him, but we're confident Tom could have gone a lot quicker with fresh tyres.

"We won't be changing too much from the current BMW 320si set up, but we'll shake down the two new cars over the next couple of weeks and continue to put the hard work in to ensure Team RAC gets off to the best possible start at Brands Hatch on 1st April."

Alastair Pegg, Director of RAC Marketing, said: "Colin and Tom proved this week that they are a dynamic partnership both on and off the track, so it's great news for RAC that our drivers will again be the focus of national coverage on ITV this season. With strong results in testing, Team RAC are all set for a bright start to the season in a little over two weeks time."