WITH FULL SIZED BTCC RACE TEAM SPONSORSHIP.

Radio controlled model car makers HPI Europe have hit the big time - with afull sized sponsorship of a new British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)team.

The new team, "HPI Racing with Friends Reunited" - which will race two LexusIS200 cars - is go, go, go from Tuesday, March 29, 2005, when the raceseries is previewed at Donington Park race circuit in the English EastMidlands from 9am.

Swadlincote-based HPI Europe produces a range of 1/8th and 1/10th scalenitro and battery powered Touring Cars, Monsters Trucks and racing buggies.It will now also produce scale model replicas of the HPI-sponsored BTCCcars.

The new BTCC team is owned by Jason Porter, co-founder of Friends Reunited,and  based in Kent. The team is managed and operated by Speed Equipe, ahighly successful racing stable that has previously raced in a number offormulae and classes. The team will enter the independent class of the 2005BTCC.

The drivers are Ian Curley and Richard Williams who last year enjoyed anumber of strong races and results - including a number of wins andpodiums - in the Renault Clio Cup Championship, a recognised BTCC feederseries, driving Speed Equipe cars.

"It's a big move for us," said HPI Europe Vice President Jason Dearden.

"HPI's people are all frustrated full-sized racers and this is a fantasticopportunity for us to get closer to the action at the highest level. It alsogives us a great opportunity to produce a model Touring Car that, in scaleterms, is actually faster than the real thing.

"Our one-tenth scale nitro powered Touring Cars can hit up to 65mph -reaching that speed in around two-and-a-half seconds: that's a scale speedof 650mph. On a short circuit, our car would actually win a race with afull-sized version."

The sponsorship is worth an undisclosed sum and the deal is initially forone year. The first three races will be at Donington Park on April 9 and 10,2005.