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British Touring Car Championship racer Dan Welch believes his fully revamped Proton will help him move towards the front of the grid this season.

The Welch Motorsport driver - who has been a regular in the series since 2011 and finished 18th overall last year - was forced to sit out the recent test session at Donington Park as he was waiting for parts to complete his Proton Persona.

His new-for-2014 team-mate Ollie Jackson was also unable to run following a problem installing a flywheel on the day prior to the test.

Despite encountering technical challenges and their lack of testing, Welch remains upbeat for the season ahead.

"There isn't a part of the car that we haven't looked at and refined," he said.

"We have restyled the bodywork, which will be the most obvious change, but we have done a lot technically as well.

"They are both brand new machines and they will represent a step forward for us and I am optimistic about our chances."

The series kicks off at Brands Hatch on March 29/30.