With a new car and team-mate for the upcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Ciceley Motorsport driver Adam Morgan is feeling confident about the 2021 campaign, as the 32-year-old fires into his tenth year contesting the series.

The Official BTCC website caught up with Morgan to talk testing, team-mates and ten years in Britain's premier motorsport series in the Q&A below...

With a new car and new team-mate for 2021, what are your expectations for the season? 

My expectations are always high and, as a team, we always aim for the best. The BMW 330i M Sport is a proven race and championship winner, so there are no excuses with what I am driving. This will also be the first time Ciceley Motorsport and I have a team-mate who is more experienced, which can only benefit us. Tom [Chilton] and I seemed to be very matched pace-wise throughout 2020 so having two cars with two drivers at the same pace should really help develop the car quickly.

A two-car team always has benefits, and a two-car team with two quick drivers will have even more benefits. The fact Tom and I have been so equally matched means we can speed up the process of testing different set-ups on the car. Getting good back to back data, good feedback and consistency throughout this development will push not only myself but the team as a whole forward.

Following on from that, last year your team-mate Jack [Butel] was a rookie in the BTCC, whereas Tom Chilton, has contested five more years in the championship than yourself. Does your team-mate’s level of experience change the dynamic between the two of you? 

I don’t think it does really. We have both gathered many years of experience in the BTCC, we both know what it’s about and how to get results. I am sure we will work together very well, and also push each other to improve, that’s what team-mates are all about.

How are you feeling about the front to rear wheel-drive switch? 

A lot of people have commented on this, about getting used to rear wheel-drive, and yes there are a few aspects that I will have to re-learn and adapt to, but as a racing driver, no matter if its FWD or RWD, you get in it and drive it as hard and fast as you possibly can. I started in rallying and then moved to Ginettas so I have a few years’ experience in RWD, so it should hopefully come back to me pretty quick.

 

We’ve seen you’ve been out in the BMW 125i M Sport to get some testing in ahead of the 3 series’ arrival, how was that? 

It was great to get out behind the wheel again and in a rear wheel-drive machine. Conditions have been tricky with wet and damp tracks as well as the cold temperatures. But seat time is invaluable, it has been a long time since either Tom or I drove RWD so it’s great to get out and there and put it into practice. Steve, our engineer, can also use these tests for some data collection.

2021 will mark your tenth BTCC campaign, what advice would you give to your younger self back in 2012 ahead of your maiden season? 

Points mean prizes. I was definitely over-eager in my first year in the BTCC, trying too hard and going for every single position I could. It's the toughest and most competitive championship there is, and you have to finish races, not just go for podiums and wins. With the championship being so competitive I would tell my younger self to just learn, watch the guys at the front, see where they place the car and know when and where not to attack.

 

You obviously hold ambitions to win the title overall but there is also the Independents’ to think about... what are your genuine targets for your first season in the BMW?

I have, of course, set myself some personal targets this year, which I am going to keep to myself.  For the first time ever in the BTCC, I am driving the same machinery that has won the Drivers' and Teams' championship. In my eyes, I have no excuses now.  The Mercedes was older but we still got results, while the BMW is brand new and a proven fast car. Naturally, I’m very excited to see what we can achieve. I would absolutely love for Ciceley Motorsport to win the Independent Teams' Championship.

Following his most successful Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship to-date in 2020, after breaking the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship and concluding the campaign in seventh overall, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square driver Jake Hill will no doubt be aiming for glory in 2021.

Following the Brands Hatch season finale, Hill headed into the off-season in confident mood after a new deal with the squad was announced on the eve of the year's closing event.

“It’s a very nice feeling that MB Motorsport wanted to keep me for another year, and that feeling is very much mutual," said Hill. "I love the team and its way of going about things both on and off the track. So it made perfect sense for me to stay.”

Learning of Team Owner Shaun Hollamby’s potential acquisition of Motorbase Performance, which was announced on 7 January, Hill felt further drawn to the squad, knowing that the move would include a change to the newer Ford Focus STs that the Kent-based troupe brought to the championship in 2020.

“When I found out that the potential move to Motorbase was on, it was even more of an incentive," continued Hill. "It meant a new car, and a very good car at that, but also the amalgamation of both teams. You’ve got two of the very best independent teams ever really in touring cars coming together. What more could I possibly want?”

While moving from the Honda Civic Type R FK2 to the Focus in 2021 would be something new for Hill to tackle, it also sees the return to a newer version of the first car he drove in the series, having contested the MK II at Croft in 2013.

Bolstering his confidence in the move is the success Rory Butcher had with the same change of machine between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In the new Focus ST, Butcher was able to cement himself as a championship contender up to the final event of last year, showing the pace of the car and the potential for a smooth transition from the FK2 for Hill, as well.

“I think Rory and I are very similar in terms of driving styles and I’d like to think that hopefully I’ll be a similar standard and pace heading into 2021. It gives me somewhat of an advantage, knowing what he managed to do with the car and the potential to maybe do more.

“I’m very excited as I think it’s going to be a big step forward. I’ve seen the car a couple of times in the workshop whilst it’s being built and it looks amazing. There’s lots of key developments going on and I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel.”

With testing for the Ford Focus STs yet to take place, as the build of the car is still underway, Hill explains that the schedule has been delayed, reflecting the revised start date for the series.

“As the season is now moved back, we’re probably not going to start testing until March as we want more consistent weather,” he concluded. “With all the rain and snow we've had it makes sense, so that's the plan really at the moment. So I haven’t driven the car yet but I’m very much looking forward to it.

“Day one in the Focus will be a learning curve for both me and my engineer, with it being a new thing for us both. It’s a new car and a new way of going about things with Motorbase Performance. It’s going to really be a case of getting on top of the car in terms of driving it, making sure I’m totally happy and everything fits and works, all that type of stuff!”

MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square and the rest of the full Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship grid will be lining up for the opening rounds of the season at Thruxton on 8/9 May.

Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt will spearhead Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s assault on Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship glory in 2021, after the team confirmed that the former Independents’ Champion and series returnee will pilot its pair of Toyota Corollas throughout the forthcoming campaign.
 
With five podium finishes from the last six races, the Corolla was the highest-scoring car during the closing stages of the 2020 season and, with a second Toyota now added to the Speedworks Motorsport stable, sights are firmly set on fighting for all three major crowns over the coming months – Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and Teams’.
 
That effort will be led by Butcher, who will make his 100th BTCC start in the opening race of the campaign at Thruxton on 9 May. One of the most highly-rated drivers in the paddock, the 33-year-old from Kirkcaldy has to-date achieved six victories, 14 podium finishes, three pole positions and five fastest laps, and has been a title protagonist in two of his three full seasons in the UK’s premier motor racing series.
 
The 2019 Independents’ Champion and Jack Sears Trophy winner has placed inside the top five in the overall standings in each of the past two years, and entered the current off-season on a high by winning the final race of 2020.
 
Butcher’s move to Toyota Gazoo Racing UK will mark his debut for a Manufacturer-backed outfit, and he will be partnered on the driving front by Smelt, who previously competed in the BTCC in 2018, only his second season out of karts.
 
The 24-year-old Northampton-born ace has since been honing and refining his racecraft in the British GT Championship, most recently behind the wheel of Speedworks’ new Toyota GR Supra GT4. A double podium finish, pole position and fastest lap showcased Smelt’s raw speed in the fiercely-contested series, and having sampled the Corolla at Snetterton last November, he is now looking forward to reigniting his BTCC career with Toyota Gazoo Racing UK.
 
“We’re all delighted to welcome Rory and Sam to the team for the 2021 campaign," said Team Principal Christian Dick. "We believe they represent the perfect blend of youth and experience and that they can help to drive us forward as we target all three titles for the first time in the BTCC.
 
“Rory’s calibre is clear to see. It’s easy to forget sometimes that he only has three full seasons in the championship under his belt, because he drives with all the confidence and panache of somebody that has been involved in the BTCC for much longer. His progress has been highly impressive – what he has accomplished since making his debut in the series is quite remarkable, and to already have two titles in his pocket is a phenomenal feat. Hopefully we can achieve the next one together.
 
“We have had many on-track battles with Rory, and he has always been a very hard but fair racer who leaves nothing on the table, so we are really looking forward to having him in the team. He brings with him a fresh perspective and new ideas, and he is a hard worker with an exemplary attitude. I have no doubt that he will be pushing for race wins in the Corolla right from the outset.
 
“Sam is somebody with whom we have forged a strong relationship during the past 12 months. He has been a huge asset to our British GT programme, both in terms of his performance inside the cockpit and his developmental skills out of it, and from talking to him over the course of the campaign, it became obvious just how much he wanted to return to the BTCC.
 
“He is the first to admit that his rookie season in the championship was a tough one – it’s never easy for anybody to step into the BTCC, particularly when you only have one prior year of car racing behind you, and he probably wasn’t as prepared for it as he would have liked to have been. The intervening period has done him the world of good in enabling him to learn and improve away from the spotlight, and he showed a great deal of potential when he drove the Corolla at Snetterton. I honestly think he will surprise people this year.”

“I’m super excited about this new challenge," exclaimed Butcher. "Moving to a Manufacturer-backed team has been a goal of mine ever since I joined the BTCC, and I have no doubt that this will give me my best chance yet of truly fighting for the championship. I feel hugely proud to be wearing and defending the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK colours and will give it my absolute all both on and off-track.
 
“I’ve known Christian [Dick] for some time, going back to when we raced against each other in British GT in 2010. We battled it out for the GT4 title that year, so I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and have taken note of what Speedworks have achieved in the BTCC, especially in recent seasons. Over the past couple of years, we had a few casual conversations about maybe working together at some stage, and when the opportunity finally presented itself, I jumped at it. I’m also immensely grateful to my personal sponsors for their ongoing support in helping to make this deal possible, particularly during such tough economic times.
 
“Despite 2021 being only my fourth full season in the BTCC, the Corolla will be the fifth touring car I’ve driven so hopefully I can bring some of that knowledge to its continued development and perhaps even improve it further. It was arguably the most competitive car on the grid by the end of last year – the team definitely seems to have a proper handle on it now in all conditions and both with or without ballast, so I can’t wait to get behind the wheel to experience it for myself!
 
“Over the past 12 months, I really feel like I’ve matured as a driver, and I’m now much more capable of looking at the bigger picture and putting a championship campaign together. I obviously had a good crack at that in 2020, and whilst things didn’t ultimately go my way, that’s just part of the learning curve and it has unquestionably made me stronger. It’s all about racking up the points in this game – the podiums and wins are a bonus – and there’s no reason at all why we shouldn’t be fighting at the front right from the start.”

“I’m massively excited to be returning to the BTCC," confirmed Smelt. "And to be doing so with such a strong car and team is the icing on the cake. It was always my objective to get back into touring car racing, because I certainly have unfinished business in this championship. It was a tough baptism in 2018, and I’m determined to show I’m capable of an awful lot more than what I achieved that year. The BTCC is so ultra-competitive that you need more than a single season to get to grips with it all. I wanted a second year to be able to take advantage of everything I’d learned, but unfortunately I didn’t get that chance. Now I have.
 
“I’m definitely a very different driver to the one I was back then. I’ve improved a lot over the past couple of years in GTs, especially last season competing consistently towards the front and I return with far more experience of high-level racing. I also have a much better understanding of how to guide and shape the development of a car. It’ll obviously require a little bit of adaptation to re-adjust to the style of racing, but I’m confident that won’t take long and that I’ll quickly settle back into the groove.
 
“It will be fun to be reunited with Rory, too. We were team-mates back in 2018 and we had a strong relationship, so I’m looking forward to working with him again. I’ve always rated him highly as a driver, and he has shown over the past couple of years just what he can do.
 
“I really enjoyed my season with Speedworks in British GT and I followed the team’s BTCC progress closely, culminating in the opportunity to test the Corolla myself at Snetterton a couple of months ago. Even though it was a wet day, the car felt great and I was able to get an initial impression of it. It was good to be back in front wheel-drive machinery and whilst there was nobody else there to gauge myself against, I got a decent amount of mileage under my belt and everything seemed very positive.
 
“I’ve done quite a lot of jumping around in recent seasons, so to have the continuity of staying with the same team – albeit in a different championship – is great. I know the way everybody works, and I’ll be going into a familiar environment, which will hopefully allow me to hit the ground running. I can’t wait to get started!”

The team's double-whammy driver reveal leaves its livery unveil as the next big announcement to come from the Speedworks Motorsport-run outfit, before the 2021 BTCC season gets underway at Thruxton on 8/9 May.

Ciceley Motorsport kicked off the BTCC testing season in rather unconventional circumstances at Donington Park last week, having recently acquired the ex-Carl Boardley BMW 1 Series.

The North West-based squad is switching to the ultra-successful BMW 3 Series for the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and is keen to hit the ground running while waiting for its new cars to be delivered. Carrying many similar characteristics to its ‘big brother’, Ciceley are using the 1 Series to acclimatise ahead of the move to rear-wheel drive machinery.

Action got underway with regular pilot Adam Morgan completing 45 laps of the National Circuit in largely wet conditions during the morning session.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Morgan. “The track eventually dried, and I was able to go out on slicks. The track was green and there was a little bit of standing water, but I really enjoyed being out in RWD and immediately got used to the fundamental handling differences. I’m really looking to the next test at Snetterton.”

Following seat and control adjustments during the lunchtime break, Ciceley’s new signing – experienced race winner Tom Chilton – was next up to get a taste of the multiple title-winning BMW.

Chilton ran on Goodyear slick tyres all afternoon, despite freezing cold temperatures that also meant the track was unable to dry completely, as the Surrey man clocked up an encouraging 50 laps before the chequered flag fell.

As planned, engineer Steve Farrell made some adjustments to the car throughout the day and was able to gather significant data ahead of the team’s next outing at Snetterton this Thursday (28 January).

“Both drivers were very happy under the circumstances, both with the pace of the car and how they initially adapted to RWD,” confirmed Commercial Director Norman Burgess. “The entire team are very content with how the first test progressed. We are looking forward to getting the new BMW 3 Series and preparing it for pre-season testing, which will hopefully begin in early March.”

Following the announcement that Jade Edwards would complete BTC Racing's three-car line-up for the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, the Official BTCC website caught up with the 29-year-old to discuss achieving her dream of signing for a full season in Britain's elite motorsport series, as well as her expectations for the year to come.

Listen to the full interview below...

BTC Racing will run the ‘TOCA’ engines in its three Honda Civic Type-R FK8 race cars for the first time in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship after agreeing a deal with Swindon Powertrain for 2021.

After two very successful years working with Team Dynamics and the Honda factory units developed by Neil Brown Engineering, BTC Racing will now return to using Swindon’s customer TOCA engine having done so previously before 2019.

Josh Cook, Michael Crees and Jade Edwards will get their hands on the 2.0-litre, 16 valve, four-cylinder turbo-charged engines during the upcoming season, which is now scheduled to begin over the weekend 8/9 May at ultra-fast Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire.

“We’re looking forward to working with Swindon Powertrain during the coming season and obviously aiming for some very strong results with the TOCA engine in our three Honda Civic Type-Rs," said Steve Dudman, BTC Racing Owner and Team Principal. "Our change to Swindon for 2021 was a collaborative decision by the whole team based on a number of performance and strategic considerations, including the forthcoming 2022 Hybrid era.

“We have honoured our two-year deal with TDM [Team Dynamics Motorsport], since building the FK8s, and we greatly appreciate all of their valued support. Our working relationship will be ongoing, so this is by no means the end of our association with Team Dynamics.”

Power Maxed Racing has today (22 January) confirmed that Jason Plato will pilot one of the squad’s race-winning Vauxhall Astras in the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, following his 12-month sabbatical from racing.

The championship stalwart, who was victorious in the final race of 2019, is aiming for his 100th win this year, as he kicks off the campaign with another impressive milestone – his 600th race in the series – during the opening round at Thruxton.

“Obviously 2020 was less than ideal for many of us but it gave me time to put a lot of things into perspective,” reflected Plato. “I was lucky enough to be able to spend a lot more time than I normally would at home with the family, but I’m itching to get back in a race car now. It’s the longest I’ve been without racing, and it’s made me appreciate just how much I love it, and I have really missed my team.

“I’m excited about the future with Power Maxed Car Care Racing; winning the final race in 2019 has lit a fire underneath me, so I’m more than ready to get back out and win my 100th race!”

“Last year was a very strange one for us – not fighting in the top ten isn't something we're used to, but it was great to get some new talent in the car,” added Team Principal Adam Weaver. “Following on from Jason’s success at the end of 2019, coupled with the extensive development programme we’ve been working on over the winter, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about some strong results in 2021 and beyond. And, obviously, Jason bagging his unparalleled 100th win in the Astra!”

Following the squad’s single-car entry last year, which saw a number of up-and-coming drivers given the opportunity to drive in the UK’s most popular championship, Power Maxed Car Care Racing has confirmed a two-car entry for this year, with the second driver yet to be announced.

• Goodyear Tyres takes the lead as technical tyre partner while BTCC introduces hybrid power
• Deal will see the Company enter third consecutive decade holding the title sponsorship rights
• 24 years of continuous investment in tyre development for BTCC field

Goodyear Tyres and TOCA, Series Organiser of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), have today (21 January) announced that Goodyear will continue its long-standing partnership with the BTCC for another five years, through to the end of 2026 and through the introduction of hybrid power to the championship.

This five-year partnership brings with it a number of accolades for the tyre company including owning the bragging rights to entering a third decade of continuous partnership in 2025, and investing nearly a quarter of a century (24 years) into non-stop tyre development through the Company’s portfolio of brands. 

Throughout the decades, Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre development for this cutting-edge series. The Company has significantly influenced the performance of the cars as well as introducing RFID tagging, the soft, medium and hard compound options and a new tyre construction – helping to deliver one of the world’s most popular motorsport championships to an audience of tens of millions each year. As the championship goes to the next level with hybrid power, Goodyear will be implementing new tyre technologies accordingly.

Ben Crawley, Director Motorsport Goodyear Europe said: “We are thrilled to have signed yet another extension to our partnership with the BTCC, continuing as tyre supplier and retaining the naming rights to the championship. We were really drawn to the contract extension as we wanted to be part of the next exciting chapter of the championship. With the introduction of hybrid power, new demands will be put onto the tyres and we are able to bring a lot of knowledge and expertise to the programme thanks to our experience working with leading OEMs where we are shod on some of their hybrid and electric vehicles.

“The fact that this contract also brings us fantastic milestones, such as entering a third decade of partnership, makes us feel really proud as we reflect on all of the fantastic things we have done as a company to promote and develop the championship, not only for the teams and drivers, but also the fans. We look forward to entering this new chapter with the UK’s leading racing championship.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “The BTCC having a strong technical tyre partner is a key component of our success. As well, being the first major touring car championship to confirm its pathway for introducing hybrid technology, Goodyear is a hugely significant part of it.

“This is a very exciting period for the championship, and I’m pleased that we will continue our partnership with Goodyear through to the end of 2026. Goodyear has been an incredibly proactive and engaged partner of the BTCC for so many years and their ongoing commitment will help the championship continue to thrive into the future.”

Tom Ingram will spearhead the EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars challenge in the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, after announcing a ‘multi-year’ agreement with the team that was by some margin the biggest improver in the field last year.
 
The forthcoming campaign will mark Ingram’s eighth in the UK’s premier motor racing series, and his first in new colours following seven years with Speedworks Motorsport – yielding 16 race wins, 41 podium finishes, four pole positions and 13 fastest laps, firmly establishing the Bucks-born ace as one of the BTCC’s leading lights and a champion in-waiting.
 
Indeed, Ingram has finished inside the top six in the final standings in each of the past four seasons, pushing Colin Turkington all the way for title glory three years ago and securing back-to-back Independent Drivers’ crowns in 2017 and 2018.
 
After replacing its long-in-the-tooth MG6 with the all-new Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance last year, EXCELR8 leapt up the order from 19th in the Teams’ table with just four points in 2019 to 246 points and an excellent seventh in 2020 – and fifth in the Independent Teams’ battle. The car was a podium-finisher on its debut weekend at Donington Park and went on to reach the rostrum again at Knockhill, tallying an impressive 42 points finishes out of a possible 54.
 
In what is commonly regarded as the world’s toughest and most fiercely-disputed tin-top series – and in only the squad’s second season in the BTCC – that marked an outstanding achievement, but all sights are set on an even more successful time of things in 2021 with Ingram behind the wheel. The 27-year-old will run under the EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars banner following the team’s off-season merger with Trade Price Cars, with the action due to get underway at Thruxton in Hampshire – the fastest circuit in the country – on 8/9 May.
 
“I’m immensely excited to announce my new deal with EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars,” declared Ingram. “When it became clear that commercially, we would not be able to continue with Speedworks, I spoke to a number of BTCC teams and to be honest, this was probably one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make. We immediately ‘clicked’, right from the very first conversation.
 
“Justina [Williams] and her husband and business partner Antony are incredibly driven and ambitious, and they are determined to make this project a success. They have a tremendous amount of experience, not only in motorsport but in the business world too, and that really appealed to me.
 
“For me, Jason Plato has always been the blueprint in the BTCC. The mentoring I received from him as part of the KX Akademy just under a decade ago transformed the way I approach my racing. In focussing on building his brand, he has proved how it is possible to forge a truly tangible, long-lasting career in British motorsport both on and off-track – and I would like to think I could see myself in his shoes another decade or two down the line.
 
“With that in mind, it’s great to have the security of a multi-year agreement, especially in the current climate. This is a long-term commitment on both sides, which means we know where we stand moving forward, and gives us the opportunity to really grow together and establish EXCELR8 as a bona fide front-running team.
 
“It will also be good to have a team-mate for the first time in more than seven years – that’s something I’ve particularly lacked over the past four seasons, I would say, when we’ve been fighting for the championship. When you’re facing a fork in the road set-up wise and you don’t know whether to go left or right, it allows you to try both options to speed up the development process, and I’m really looking forward to having somebody to push me, keep me on my toes and make me raise my game.
 
“We all naturally want to go out there and be as competitive as we can, and I personally want to be up at the sharp end, winning races and achieving consistent podium finishes this year. We’ve got the right people in the right places – from the engineering side to the design and team management – to do the best job possible, and the massive progress EXCELR8 made between their first and second season in the championship underscores just how serious and motivated these guys are.
 
“In a way, it feels like I’ve been on this journey once before, but the truth is that I’m already several steps further up the ladder than I was when I joined Speedworks – I’ve got seven years’ more experience under my belt now, for a start! I understand what’s required to make a car quick and how to put a title challenge together, and you only need to look at what Ash Sutton did in the Infiniti last year to appreciate what can be accomplished.
 
“This feels like the start of something really, really exciting – I don’t regard it as a step backwards in any way. From a performance perspective, I actually see it as a step forwards. The Hyundai has developed significantly over the past year, and it goes without saying that there’s a lot more potential – and pace – still to be extracted. It has almost the perfect body shape and wheelbase for the BTCC, blending the best attributes of the Toyota Corolla and Avensis that I’ve driven before, so I will be very surprised if we’re not a genuine contender for the championship this season – both the Independents’ title and the main one.”
 
“I am absolutely delighted to have agreed a multi-year deal with Tom to drive for EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars,” added Team Owner Justina Williams. “He is a proven race-winner and will no doubt also be a championship-winner, so he will inevitably be a huge asset to our team and will continue to push us towards the sharp end of the BTCC grid. 
 
“I have admired Tom’s car control, racecraft, fan engagement, media skills and commercial acumen for a number of years, even before we entered the BTCC and have always regarded him as a top-drawer choice of driver for our team. I am super excited for 2021 and beyond, with the highest level of optimism about what we can achieve with Tom on-board. With the team we have built and our other three drivers, what a year it promises to be!”

Breaking News:

📰 Ingram announces 'multi-year' deal with EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars

See ➡ https://t.co/sSSONfAZvt#BTCC // @Tomingram80 @Excelr8M @TPCracingBTCC pic.twitter.com/BJP54UOUOU

— BTCC (@BTCC) January 20, 2021

The 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will see MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square field a pair of fourth-generation Ford Focus STs as the squad enters its sophomore season in the UK’s highest-profile racing series.

Continuing Mark Blundell’s successful collaboration with Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne, the switch comes following news of the recent acquisition of Motorbase Performance by the pair, as the team jumps into race-winning machinery for 2021. Hollamby and Blundell will continue to spearhead the team’s efforts remaining in their roles of Team Principal and Sporting Director respectively.

The news also sees the extension of MB Motorsport’s multi-faceted partnership with the award-winning retail marketing agency, Blue Square. Blue Square accelerated the team’s debut BTCC season in 2020 and returns to the fore again this year as the team’s naming rights partner with many more exciting activations planned between the two organisations.

Blue Square branding will once again feature prominently on the team’s Ford Focus STs throughout 2021, with plans coming together for an exciting full livery reveal in the coming months.

The team made an early move last year to re-sign BRDC SuperStar Jake Hill, who cannot wait to get behind the wheel of front-running machinery as he looks to continue his progression within the BTCC. The 25-year-old will be joined by a new teammate for the 2021 season as the team give their all to make a fully-fledged assault on the Championship.

Today’s announcement also means that is the end of the road for the Honda Civic Type R FK2, after a long-running and successful involvement in the championship. Fittingly, the much-loved car was taken to the podium in its final outing as Hill secured a third-place finish back at Brands Hatch Indy last November.

“This news marks another exciting point in the team’s journey,” proclaimed the squad’s Sporting Director, Mark Blundell. “We all loved our debut campaign in the series last year and are united in wanting to achieve much more in the coming year. We have a fantastic relationship with Shaun and Pete and are delighted to be working with Motorbase Performance in the next step of our journey. The Honda Civic was a fantastic car and we all loved it fondly, but everything has a lifespan in motorsport, and we are firm in our belief that the Ford Focus ST is a huge step forward both in terms of outright pace but also with the introduction of Hybrid engines in 2022.

“Continuing our relationship with Blue Square as our title partners is another huge coup. Like ourselves at MB Motorsport, they are a hugely proactive and dynamic agency who deliver at the very highest level for their blue-chip clients. The sectors in which we both work are very complementary to each other and we look forward to strengthening that collaboration, opening up new opportunities and winning some races together in 2021!”

‘Last year was Blue Square’s first time entering the motorsport arena and what a year it was,” added Andrew Leaver, Blue Square Group’s Managing Director. “We’re so proud of what Jake, Sam, the crew and the whole MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square team achieved last season. Their desire to succeed only grew throughout the year, responding with incredible teamwork and positivity to every unexpected challenge, and I’m proud that Blue Square shares the same values.

“After talking to Mark, Shaun and the owners post-season to hear about their plans for 2021, renewing our partnership with the team for the new season was an easy decision. We’ve got some big motorsport fans here at the Blue Square Group too, so we know how excited the BTCC fanbase is for the first race! Here’s to a great 2021 for everyone involved.”

“It’s been really difficult to keep a lid on these plans as I’ve been pretty excited about letting the cat out of the bag,” admitted Hill. “I was delighted when I heard everything had been brought together and I’d be behind the wheel of a Ford Focus this coming season. The Honda Civic was a big step forward for me and I loved every race in it, but today’s announcement sees us as a team go to another level again and takes my ambitions for the season ahead to a new level as well.

“I’m also really delighted to be continuing our work with the Blue Square team too. Right at the start of 2020, I really enjoyed being a part of their kick-off event with their team and together we brought together some really cool virtual and digital activities last season. No doubt, we will be just as innovative and creative this year alongside their clients and friends.”

More news from MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square will come in due course, with the squad yet to announce its second driver for the 2021 campaign.