First test in Honda

GUY and co-driver Phil Pugh flew to Italy on Monday to test the Honda Civic Type R R3 rally car for the first time.

Less than 48 hours after their victory on the Pirelli International Rally - the opening round of the British Rally Championship - the reigning British champions met up with their new team J.A.S. Motorsport in Arluno, near Milan.

Guy and Phil were also unveiled to Italian and French journalists before completing almost 100km of testing on closed tarmac roads, around 80km east of San Remo, in the front-wheel drive Civic.

Guy said: "It was great to spend some time with the team and get to know them before we head out to Australia. I was very pleased with everything - the car's got a strong engine and it's very well balanced."

Read more of Guy's thoughts by checking out his Blog. We've also posted some photos of the Civic in the Galleries section.

Guy and Phil's first event with J.A.S. is the Rally of Canberra, round one of the Australian Rally Championship, on 10/11 May.