Here at btcc.net we’ll be bringing you all the latest news and developments ahead of the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and every few weeks or so we’ll also provide a recap on the stories that have broken in the off-season so far.
Our first update supplied information on the calendar, Aron Smith’s extended stay at BMR, Infiniti’s entry into the BTCC and lots more. The next edition focused on two new debutants and a racer returning for his sophomore season.
Today we look at the unveilings and driver announcements from January, which includes the return of a three-time world champion and a manufacturer switch for one of the BTCC’s leading lights…
Jor Dropper
Many were surprised when Andrew Jordan announced he would be driving for the MG squad for the forthcoming season, but surprise quickly turned to excitement as the 2013 BTCC Champion unveiled his striking Pirtek MG6.
“I think it looks great,” said Jordan. “We’ve taken the fantastic Pirtek Racing livery and made the MG look the part!” Speaking about the move, he explained, “If I’m honest it’s given me new motivation and a different sort of motivation. I’m taking myself out of the comfort zone of the family team and some people might question why that is. I discussed it a lot with my dad as you can imagine, and I feel like the time is right for everything.”
Jordan will test the car for the first time later this week.
#111
Well it seems like the perfect number for a triple world champion. The return of Andy Priaulx to the BTCC in a WSR-run BMW was announced to the world’s media on the opening morning of the Autosport International Show. There were genuine gasps from the watching gallery as the BTCC had taken everyone by surprise for the second time in 24 hours!
“The BTCC is one of the strongest touring car championships in Europe and unfinished business for me,” said the man himself.
Bushell’s Brands bow
Mike Bushell got his hands on his new AmD Ford Focus for the first time last week when the reigning Clio Cup champion completed his maiden test in the car at Brands Hatch – look out for a story with Mike on www.btcc.net next week.
Mike’s run signaled the start of a frenetic few months of BTCC testing, which has also seen Motorbase hitting the track earlier in the week. Things are cranked up a notch later this month when a whole host of teams attend an unofficial test at Thruxton and we’ll be previewing that event over the coming days.
Moffat’s Mercedes switch
For the first time in the history of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship a Mercedes Benz scored an outright race win as Adam Morgan claimed top spot at Brands Hatch on the final day of the season. The introduction of the A-Class in 2014 proved hugely popular and the car was extremely competitive so fans were delighted to hear there would be two of the machines on the 2015 grid.
Laser Tools Racing unveiled its new charger at the NEC and the squad is in the process of finalising its testing plans ahead of Aiden Moffat’s sophomore season.
Paras Power
I imagine the headline ‘To Infiniti and beyond’ will be used several times this season due to the premium car marque entering Britain’s best tin-top series. The story behind Support Our Paras is a great one too with many of the people involved in the project being wounded soldiers from The Parachute Regiment.
So far in 2015 the squad has unleashed an interim livery at the Autosport International Show and the Q50 has also been centre stage at Westfield shopping centre in London. Drivers Richard Hawken and Derek Palmer are scheduled to get their maiden run in the car at Thruxton next week.
PHOTO CREDIT: MSV
