Undeterred by the loss of his Toyota Sprint Series Championship title last year, East Yorkshire rally driver Jonny Milner is looking forward to the first race of the new season’s championship with customary determination and confidence.

Without the distraction of the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship that he won last year but will not take place in 2011, Milner will be able to concentrate on driving his ‘Xtreme’ 700 BHP Toyota Celica GT4 to victory in the six round series that starts at Rockingham on 27th March. 

The Merlin International supported Toyota Celica has been subject to significant modifications since last season including a new gearbox and major suspension and spoiler work and Jonny is confident that he’ll give old adversary Adrian Smith a ‘good scrap!’

Commenting on the forthcoming season, Milner said, “It’s the 40th anniversary of the Toyota Celica this year and I’m determined to bring the title back to Yorkshire. We’ve taken advice from a Touring Car Engineer regarding suspension and we’re looking forward to seeing what a difference that makes.  The course at Rockingham is demanding - fast smooth tarmac with big braking zones, tight bends and technical sections – but that suits us, so I hoping for a cracking first race.”

Merlin International, one of the associated sponsors of the 2011 Toyota Sprint Series, is also investing in its team of protégés, or ‘trainee wizards’ as Jonny calls them, that include Quaife MSA British Rallycross Champion Ash Simpson driving his Celica GT4 ST205 in the all new Street Class of the Series and his girlfriend Danny who will drive the Celica in the ladies section.

In addition to running Jonny’s, Ash’s and Danny’s cars, Merlin International Motorsports is also supporting Barry Wattling’s Celica GT4 ST205 in the A1–Pro Class, Duncan McMath’s MR2 in the A3-Pro Class and Andrew Falkingham’s Celica GT4 ST205, also in the A3-Pro Class.