Andy Wilmot will compete in the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with Welch Motorsport. The 34-year-old from Dartford, Kent has diligently been working on securing a position on the grid after previously racing in the BTCC in 2013. The experience left a lasting impression on Wilmot, who has fervently pursued a drive in the UK’s premier motor sport series over the past 12 months.
The VW Cup racer took part in the Rockingham rounds of BTCC 2013, and with no previous experience of the car made significant progress over the course of the weekend to score three top twenty results. Now set to race a full season, Wilmot is hoping to build on his brief foray into the tough world of the British Touring Car Championship with Welch Motorsport.
Wilmot said: “It's a dream come true for me – the reality has not really sunk in yet! I certainly have a lot to learn, but over the winter months with the test schedule planned and in a car that is very well sorted handling-wise, I think Dan and John [Welch] will get the best out of me. The team has a lot of experience in the BTCC, and having watched the guys over the past year, every thing is coming together nicely to drive the #12 car.
“I still have a part of the budget to find but the support I am getting from my sponsors is outstanding. Everybody is as exited as myself, and we fully understand it is a big step up to the top touring car series, but I have a lot of racing experience and am willing to learn. Exiting times lie ahead and I just can’t wait to get going!”
Team Principal, John Welch said: “I’m delighted that Andy has shown faith in us, we certainly did not have the best year with developing our own engines – Ollie and Dan were so patient with us and it was rather humbling. For next season the organisers are evaluating the engine parity regulations and this certainly will make a big difference.
“As yet we have not taken the decision which way we will go with the engine – using the TOCA unit or our own – and we won’t make the choice until we have completed the dyno program with updated components and electronics that has been underway since the season finished with XtecR.
“Andy fits in well with us and has been working very hard to pull this deal together, it’s our intention to ensure he is fully competitive and also enjoys his first complete season in the championship.”
