Handy Motorsport are to re-brand as HMS Racing for the 2018 season, which will see the team compete in the British Touring Car Championship with a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulietta car.

The Swindon-based team, which capped off the season in style with victory in the final race of the year, will take on the new HMS Racing name for 2018.

Although the company name HMS Racing Ltd was originally founded in 2011, the team continued to trade under its more widely known brand until now. Handy Motorsport was formed in 2002 when Belcher competed in the Legends Cars National Championship.

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Team Principal Simon Belcher explained that the change comes at the ‘right moment’ as the outfit embarks on a new chapter utilising the Italian car brand.

“Next season marks a big change for the team with the introduction of the Alfa Romeo so it really is the ideal time to make the rebrand to HMS Racing,” said Belcher. “HMS actually stands for Handy Motor Sport and when we founded the limited company in 2011 we shortened our name.

“Now, the time is right to move away from Handy Motorsport and use HMS Racing as our brand going forward.”

Belcher added that his team were still riding high after claiming their maiden win in the BTCC at Brands Hatch with driver Rob Austin.

“We’re all still coming down off the win at Brands to be honest,” continued Belcher. “It was an amazing way to end our association with the Toyota, but everyone is already working hard on the build of the Giulietta and the preparations for 2018.

“This is the most important time in the history of our team, we’re determined HMS Racing will become consistent BTCC front-runners next season.”

The team’s new car will be unveiled at the Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC in January.