In 2002, Honda announced that it would return to the BTCC after a year's absence, with its works program being run by Arena Motorsport.[2] Andy Priaulx and Alan Morrison were announced as the two drivers who would drive in 2002, and, after a fairly slow start, Priaulx achieved the cars first ever podium, with a second place at the Croft feature race,[3] and then a victory at Knockhill,[4] with Morrison also winning his first race, at the last event of the season.[5] Honda would finish 3rd in the Constructor's championship at the end of the season, with Priaulx finishing a fine 5th in the Driver's championship.[6]
2003 would see an even stronger performance, with Honda Racing expanding to a 3-car team, with Matt Neal and Tom Chilton being entered, along with the retained Morrison.[7] In addition to this, James Kaye drove an ex-works Civic Type-R for his independent Synchro Motorsport team,[8] having previously taken the Production Class championship in a Production-spec Civic Type-R.[5] Neal finished 3rd in the Driver's championship, and Honda would finish 2nd in the Constructor's championship, with 6 wins - moving ahead of MG.[9] James Kaye also finished runner-up in the Independent's championship.
For 2004, however, Honda Racing had slimmed down to just a single-car team, driven by Chilton. Team Dynamics replaced its Vauxhall Astra Coupe with a pair of 2003-spec Civics, with Matt Neal[10] and Dan Eaves[11] joining the team (Eaves bringing sponsorship from Halfords, with the team being renamed to Team Halfords to reflect this), whilst James Kaye continued with his Synchro Motorsport Civic. Honda once again finished second in the Constructors championship, with 6 wins being shared between Team Halfords and Honda Racing. Dan Eaves and Matt Neal finished a close 3rd and 4th respectively in the Independents championship, although Neal was the highest placed of the drivers in the main standings - finishing 5th.[12]
