After a character building debut year driving the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch in the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, Gavin Smith has stated his intention to grab more podiums and possibly his first win this year when he returns to the car for
another season.

Partnering series debutant Fabrizio Giovanardi and former Honda driver Tom Chilton, Smith is the only driver from the 2005 line-up returning and the Irishman delighted that the team have chosen to maintain him for another year.

"I am very happy for sure, having had a year under my belt with the team," he told Crash.Net Radio . "I know the team and they are pleased to have me around. Having two fresh team mates with plenty of experience, it is going to be a new challenge, so I am happy all round."

Smith is particularly hoping to build on a strong end to the season last year where he scored a best of second place at Silverstone, following it up with another podium in the final round at Brands Hatch.

"It is always great for a drivers' confidence to end the year on a podium and that is where I am looking to start the season. It is always a booster to go into the same team with the same mechanics and engineers."

"They know me now and it is not as if I am going into uncertain waters. I am looking forward to just getting stuck in and start off from where I left."

Nevertheless, Smith remains coy about his chances for a championship challenge, with taking his first win the highest on his priority list.

"You never know how it is going to go. I know the car is going to be stronger this season because the lads have been working hard on it over the winter, so the car will be stronger than last year."

"My goal is to do the best I can for myself and team and if it brings race wins and podiums, so be it. I am going to the best job I can and if I am in contention for the championship, then that would be great but I am there to do what I can."