One Motorsport can today (21 February) announce that it will take a planned pause from competing in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for the 2024 season, with the aim of returning to the grid to fight for outright honours in 2025.
Having spent a number of years operating as a successful and totally independent front-running team in the UK’s premier motorsport series, Team Owner Steve Dudman has made the difficult decision to press pause on the outfits immediate involvement in the championship this year.
While the team may not be lining up on the grid this year, the team aims to undertake an extensive development programme and testing on its fleet of Honda Civic Type Rs, before a planned return to the entry list in 2025.
Since debuting in the BTCC, the Brackley-based outfit - formerly known as BTC Racing - has enjoyed tremendous success, with back-to-back Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ with a total of 19 wins and 52 podiums.
The highlight of earning the aforementioned Independents crowns in 2022 and 2023 showed the strength, dedication, and professionalism of every member of the race team, in particular the contribution and leadership of Paul Hartley.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision to make however it has been made for the betterment of the team and guaranteeing our future success in the sport,” said One Motorsport Team Owner, Steve Dudman.
“It goes without saying that everyone shall be facing their own challenges this year, from drivers to sponsors alike, and we are no different to that. There has been a lot of back and forth in regard to what our 2024 plans would be, but when I finally made this decision after discussion with TOCA, I knew deep down it was the right one at this time.
“We won’t be downing tools as we have clear programme of work that we want to carry out on both our chassis’, aero and cooling systems together with our engine programmes this year with our highly respected partners NBE. With what we hope will be a year on the sidelines, we can come back next season in a strong position and hit the ground running and with a fresh look in everything we do. We’ll be sure to keep everyone posted as things progress.
“I have to say a massive thank you to every team member, each supplier and race partner supplying us with such strong support in the championship that has been with us on this journey so far, as without them all, we wouldn’t have achieved anywhere near the amount of the success we have done in the series.
“A heartfelt thank you also goes to our three drivers from last year - Josh Cook, Aiden Moffat and Jade Edwards - for their unrelenting hard work and commitment. I’m sure they will enjoy plenty of success in their endeavours this year. A special mention to Bob & Donna Moffat, Phil & Sue Hartley, Debbie & Chris Palmer and the rest of the whole hospitality team, as well as our media team for their support in 2023. Also, a massive thank you to all of our friends, fans and supporters, you are all very special people to us.
“Finally, I’d like to thank Alan Gow and TOCA for their understanding and guidance on this matter. It goes without saying that we’ll be keeping a keen eye on the Championship this year and we wish the other teams and drivers the very best of luck for the forthcoming season."
