Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship team Mardi Gras Motorsport has said it will plough ahead with gas-powered technology after deciding to replace its Honda Civic Type R with a Peugeot 406.

The Silverstone-based squad made national headlines by becoming the BTCC’s first team to use LPG technology. However, it admits that its Civic, which runs to European Touring Car regulations, remains overweight. The team believes it stands a much better chance of moving up the grid with the BTCC-spec Peugeot that won the championship’s Independents Trophy in 2002.

It will miss the next two race meetings at Oulton Park, 22/23 May and Mondello Park before returning for the second half of the 2004 season.

“The BTCC organisers have been very generous with reducing the weight allowance for ETCC-spec cars to help balance out performance, but this particular Civic is always going to be close to 100kgs overweight,” said Mardi Gras team manager Paul Hetherington.

“We have acquired the Peugeot 406 from Vic Lee, whose team ran it to the Independents title in 2002 and who has been extremely generous and helpful in putting together a deal for us.

“We will need to crack on with converting the 406 to LPG technology as time will undoubtedly pass quickly and our driver John George will need to test the car. We are confident that when we return we will be able to quickly challenge the mid-field runners and score points.”