Oxford-based Scottish touring car driver Anthony Reid praised the performance of the MG ZS EX259 touring car after its shakedown at the Pembrey circuit in Wales.

Reid said: "I am really pleased. Culturally, it's a different car to what I've driven over the last few years, but it has all the ingredients of being a great race car. It is taut, responsive and consistent."

Anthony Reid, left, and Warren Hughes

Dick Bennetts, managing director of West Surrey Racing, said: "For a brand new car straight out of the box it's very encouraging."

Frank Dernie, chief engineer, Lola Cars International, said: "I feel we've achieved most of the things we set out to do. It was good to get some dry laps done. We were able to look at the overall balance of the car and get a feel for it with its baseline settings."