The new BMW 3 Series that will contest the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in the hands of Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan officially broke cover today (26 March) ahead of the BTCC’s annual Season Launch.
 
It was revealed last month that the BMW 3 Series – one of the most evocative cars in BTCC history and synonymous with success in Britain’s premier motor racing championship – will return to the grid this year.
 
Since then, interest in the project has been running high, with significant anticipation leading up to today’s livery unveil and countless gallons of midnight oil burned back at the workshop of BMW’s long-time preparation partner, West Surrey Racing.
 
The result – the race-tuned 330i M Sport, sporting the iconic BMW M Motorsport colours – is a stunning feat of engineering with a timeless look. It is scheduled to roll out on-track for the first time this morning at Brands Hatch, before appearing at Hever Castle this evening and returning to the Kent circuit for a full day’s testing alongside all the other BTCC teams tomorrow (27 March).

Graeme Grieve, CEO, BMW UK, said: “We are delighted to show off our new BMW 3 Series BTCC contender. BMW has been a major player in the championship for more than 30 years, and we are proud to celebrate that heritage with a car that encapsulates the very ethos and essence of the brand. The 3 Series is our best-selling model worldwide, and to bring it back to the grid clothed in the classic M Motorsport colours is very special indeed. We are all very excited to see what it can do."

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, West Surrey Racing, said: “First and foremost, I must pay tribute to the extraordinary job that each and every member of WSR has put into preparing our new BMW 3 Series race cars. The attention-to-detail that has gone into the build is second-to-none, and everyone – including our technical partners – has given 110 per cent to ensure we are ready to go racing. It has been a Herculean effort, but the result as you can see is outstanding, and before the serious business of testing gets underway, I hope everybody involved can take a small step back for a moment and appreciate just what they have achieved.”

Colin Turkington, 2009, 2014 and 2018 BTCC Champion, said: “I know just how hard everybody at BMW and West Surrey Racing has worked to pull everything together over such a short space of time, and to now see this car in the garage and ready to take to the track is a source of immense pride, satisfaction and a job well done. Having won my first BTCC Drivers’ title in a 3 Series, the confirmation that BMW were bringing the car back to the championship was the best news ever. The Team BMW livery is stunning, and those unmistakeable M Motorsport colours add a real sense of presence and heritage. Now that the car is ready to go, my motivation levels are sky-high and I can’t wait for my first few laps.”

BMW Pirtek Racing can today reveal the all-new BMW 330i M Sport that Andrew Jordan will use for his assault on the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
 
The car, based on the seventh-generation of BMW’s best-selling model, has been developed over the course of the winter by West Surrey Racing, which will be entering its 13^th season representing the German manufacturer.
 
Andrew himself will be entering his third year as a BMW-backed driver, with BMW Pirtek Racing once again entered into the series with support from BMW UK.
 
Since joining forces with West Surrey Racing and BMW at the start of 2017, Andrew has secured four race wins and a further six podium finishes, with a best finish of fifth in the championship standings last year.
 
The 29-year-old heads into the new campaign seeking to add to his tally of silverware across the past two seasons, with the ultimate goal of fighting for a second championship title to add to the one he secured in 2013.
 
Having run a special livery in 2018 as part of Pirtek’s 30^th anniversary celebrations, Andrew will debut a new look on his 330i M Sport for the season ahead, which blends Pirtek’s traditional blue, red and yellow colours with the white now adorning Pirtek’s fleet of vans across Europe.
 
The new car replaces the BMW 125i M Sport that Andrew has raced for the past two seasons, and which has proven to be the most successful car of the current NGTC era – with more wins, podiums and fastest laps than any other model.
 
Andrew will sample his new BMW Pirtek Racing machine for the first time today at Brands Hatch before the car makes its public bow during the BTCC season launch at the same venue tomorrow.
 
Andrew Jordan, #77 BMW Pirtek Racing 330i M Sport, said: “The work that has gone into the new BMW Pirtek Racing 3 Series in such a short amount of time is incredible and I think the end result looks fantastic. I have to say a massive thank you to all of the team, and everyone else who has been involved in the build, as they have really pulled out all the stops to get the car ready for the start of the season.
 
“As a road car, the new BMW 3 Series is a seriously good looking machine and that’s certainly something that has carried across to the racing version. The design work that has gone into it is second to none, and the end result is a hugely impressive car that I think the whole team should feel very proud of.
 
“The 3 Series also really suits the new look Pirtek Racing livery that we’ll debut this season, which combines our traditional colours with flashes of white. Throughout my time with Pirtek, I’ve been lucky enough to race in some good-looking cars, but I think that the new BMW in our 2019 livery is the best of the lot.
 
“Whilst it is always a step into the unknown when you drive a new car for the first time, I’m hugely excited about getting behind the wheel of the BMW Pirtek Racing 3 Series for the first time, and the start of the season can’t come soon enough.”

Jack Goff will replace Mike Bushell in the Team HARD. Racing line-up for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Goff – winner of two races in 2018 – returns to the Kent-based that gave him his BTCC break back in 2013.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be back with Team HARD, who I made my debut with in the BTCC,” said Goff. “Tony gave me my first break in touring cars and it’s an amazing feeling to be back with the team, who have come on an awful lot.”

“It’s been an incredible 24 hours and I have to say a massive thank you to Tony, the team and my current partners. I honestly thought that I would have to sit out this year after a tough winter. I feel for Mike who is a great guy and driver, but I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Volkswagen CC.

“I drove the car in 2014 and have seen its upturn in form during the second half of 2018 with Mike and Bobby behind the wheel. I’ve spoken to my new team-mates, who have told me what the team has done with the car over the winter, and I have full confidence that we will be on the pace from the get go despite my obvious lack of testing.

“I am absolutely buzzing for the Season Launch and for the first round of the season at Brands Hatch. I am more determined than ever!”

The 28-year-old will get his first run in the car at the championship’s official media day at Brands Hatch on Wednesday this week.

Team Toyota GB will race into the 2019 British Touring Car Championship with a new title partner and a striking livery adorning its ‘Built in Britain’ Corolla, after Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport confirmed a major sponsorship deal with the nation’s favourite pasty-maker, Ginsters.
 
Northwich, Cheshire-based Speedworks – reigning two-time Independent Teams’ title-winner and the operating force behind Team Toyota GB’s first official BTCC Manufacturer entry in more than two decades – is one of the few true family-run outfits contesting the UK’s premier motor racing series. Those core family values struck a chord with Ginsters, itself still a family-run business – Samworth Brothers – with the Ginsters bakery to be found in Callington, Cornwall, home of the Cornish pasty.
 
To celebrate its 50^th anniversary year of baking, the company is embarking upon a landmark tour of the UK, aiming – with the support of the freshly renamed Team Toyota GB with Ginsters – to leverage the BTCC’s wide geographic and demographic reach, showcasing its range of high-quality, baked pasties served hot to teams and fans.
 
Ginsters joins loyal returning partners Hansford Sensors, EOM Developments and Motul, recently-announced Autoglym and Close Brothers Asset Finance as well as several more yet-to-be-revealed sponsors in backing Ingram and the #80 Toyota – the car bearing the same number, incidentally, as the layers of puff pastry that encase every one of the Cornish brand’s pasties.
 
Sporting Ginsters’ distinctive colours on the side of his Corolla – with intricate wood-carved illustrations portraying unmistakeable Cornish scenes – 25-year-old Bucks-born racer Ingram is heading into the forthcoming campaign with a spring in his step and his tail in the air. Like Speedworks, he lifted the BTCC’s coveted Independents’ Trophy in 2017 and 2018. Twelve months on, he has the biggest prize in British motorsport firmly in his sights – the overall Drivers’ crown.
 
The 2019 BTCC season will begin at Brands Hatch’s Indy Circuit in Kent on 6/7 April, with all of the high-speed, high-octane, wheel-to-wheel action broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4.
 
Christian Dick, Team Principal, Team Toyota GB with Ginsters, said: 
 
“Over the winter, we had the exciting opportunity to build something awesome from the ground up – planning, designing and evaluating every tiny detail with the aim of creating a car that simply has no weakness, irrespective of weather and track conditions, ballast or tyre choice. Ginsters embrace that same minute attention-to-detail and dedication to perfectionism every single day, which makes them a very natural partner and we are thrilled to have them on-board.
 
“We have been truly blown away learning about the engineering and quality control that go into every element of every flavour of every Ginsters product. Their ingredients, processes and suppliers are all the very best; like us, they leave nothing to chance and if something isn’t quite right or is a tenth off, then it is back to the drawing board until it is right.
 
“When we think of the development that went into our old Toyota Avensis – still making improvements right up to its last race – and the development that has already gone into the Corolla, we are completely in awe of what Ginsters achieve on such a large scale across so many products, and we cannot wait to tell everyone all about it!”
 
Tom Ingram, Driver, Team Toyota GB with Ginsters, said:
 
“Alongside Toyota’s commitment to building the best cars in Britain, I genuinely don’t believe there is a team with stronger foundations in UK motorsport than Speedworks – and in Ginsters, it’s incredible to find another brand that is as completely focussed on simply ‘doing things properly’ as we are.
 
“Like Speedworks, Ginsters are still a very down-to-earth company with honesty, integrity and family roots at the heart of everything they do – not to mention proud heritage. The family team ethos has been a huge part of how we have raced over the years and is certainly something that won’t be changing anytime soon, so to align with a brand that just ‘gets it’ is amazing.
 
“It’s awesome how many synergies and crossovers there are. We completely echo each other’s processes, values and work ethic – and I think that comes across, too, in the livery on our new Corolla. Ginsters are an iconic Cornish company, and we’re keen to bring as much of Cornwall as we can to the BTCC – it’s a beautiful part of the world, and we have created a beautiful design to reflect that. I’m looking forward to showing it off everywhere we go.”
 
Kieran Hemsworth, Managing Director, Ginsters, said:
 
“We’re delighted to be bringing a Taste of Cornwall to BTCC fans. We pride ourselves on our authenticity, and therefore it was essential that we partner with a team that shares our core values. In Tom and Speedworks, we have found our home. They are down-to-earth, honest, committed to their craft and determined to be the best they can be. Partnering one family business with another is such a natural fit.
 
“The expertise and dedication that the Toyota team has built into designing the new Corolla with Tom and Speedworks – using the height of technology and engineering – perfectly aligns with the skills we employ in crafting distinctive recipes to then bring to the nation on such a large scale. 
 
“We’ve been baking Cornish pasties in Callington, Cornwall for 50 years. We only use 100% British-farmed meat, we never add artificial ingredients or preservatives and our products have an unmistakeable, distinctive flavour. We can’t wait to be among the action, serving up a trackside taste of Cornwall to fans of the BTCC this season. We are proud to race as part of a team that unfailingly pushes itself to the limit and strives to be the best.”

Jason Plato made his front-wheel drive return yesterday, taking to the wheel of his Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Astra for the first time in testing ahead of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The two-time BTCC champion won his first title in a factory-supported Astra back in 2001, and the test day was his first experience of front-driven machinery since he finished second overall in 2015. Plato completed 56 laps of a very greasy and windy Snetterton Circuit – around the same distance as managed by Rob Collard, also a newcomer to the team, at Brands Hatch Indy last week.
 
“It felt great to be back in a front-wheel drive car again,” said Plato. “It took a few laps to get back into it, but I quickly felt at home. I’ve worked with Martin before at 888, and he’s put together a really strong team at PMR, so it’s given me even more confidence that we’re going to take the Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Astra to the pointy end from the off. Bring on Brands!”
 
Team Manager Martin Broadhurst spoke positively on the day's progress. 

“We were happy with the number of laps we got in, although the weather was less than ideal," he said. "Having worked alongside Jason before, I was confident we would receive detailed feedback straight away, which alongside the data recorded during the day means we can make the changes needed for our next test week.”

Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Aiden Moffat's updated Laser Tools Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class broke cover in a revamped livery at Oulton Park today, ahead of the young Scot's 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign.

Laser Tools Racing will run independently of the Ciceley Motorsport stable this year, with the team having brought everything in-house to its purpose-built race car preparation centre near Dalkeith, Edinburgh. The outfit has stripped the car right back to bare metal and completed a full rebuild to the highest standard, as it looks to kick the consistency up a notch in the forthcoming campaign.

“For the first time in a couple of years I feel that I have a totally bespoke car for me, rather than something developed for two or three drivers," said Moffat. "That was the main aim of bringing things here and in my pre-season testing I've really felt like that move is really paying off. The car is in immense shape and we can’t wait to get down to action at Brands Hatch.”

“We are so pleased with our relationship with Aiden and this year we thought the new car deserved a special livery," added Laser Tools' Keith Anderson of Laser Tools. "Looking at it on track, it comes across amazingly well and certainly stands out from the crowd. I know all of our fans will be excited to see the car and we look forwarding to giving them lots to cheer about!

Reigning two-time Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Independents’ Champion Tom Ingram is bullish about his prospects in the UK’s premier motor racing series in 2019, following a ‘really productive’ first test behind the wheel of his new Team Toyota GB with Speedworks Motorsport Corolla.

Having rebranded over the winter after gaining manufacturer backing from Toyota GB, the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit conducted an initial shakedown at its home track of Oulton Park before heading overseas to Catalunya’s Circuit Calafat for three days of extended running.

From the moment it left the pit-lane, the Corolla – an iconic nameplate returning to the BTCC for the first time in three decades – turned heads, as much for its eye-catching looks as for its impressive out-of-the-box performance. Making the most of the warm weather, 25-year-old Ingram – widely regarded as one of the hottest properties on the grid – put plenty of laps on the board under the Spanish sun and professed himself delighted with early progress.

Further testing is planned at Brands Hatch and Donington Park – scene of the season’s opening two race weekends next month. Whilst there remains much work to do in order to hit the ground running come the Kent curtain-raiser on 6/7 April, it has unquestionably been a positive start.

Christian Dick, Team Principal, Team Toyota GB with Speedworks Motorsport, said:

“We were overwhelmed by the response on social media and all the enthusiastic messages we received when the first images of the car filtered out, and seeing the Corolla take to the track for the first time was an emotional moment and a source of immense pride for everyone involved.

“It’s a very different car to the Avensis that we ran before in terms of its wheelbase, aerodynamic silhouette, centre of gravity and weight distribution. That means there has been a lot to learn and we have had to adopt a full belt-and-braces approach, but we now have a solid understanding of what makes the Corolla tick.

“I’m mindful of not wanting to build up any expectations, but everything went according to plan in Spain with no major dramas. We enjoyed good weather and put a lot of miles on the car, which has given us plenty of useful data to pore over back at base. Whilst there is clearly still room to improve, we seem to be in pretty good shape and can certainly be pleased with progress so far.

“It’s been a monumental effort by the whole team to get to this stage – everybody has done an absolutely phenomenal job – and I think we can be quietly optimistic following our first proper run with the Corolla. That said, with less than four weeks to the start of the season, there’s no time to ease off the gas and we will keep on pushing flat-out between now and Brands Hatch.”

Tom Ingram, Driver, Team Toyota GB with Speedworks Motorsport, said:

“The reaction to the car’s roll-out has been amazing. I know we’re obviously biased, but we think the new Corolla looks out-of-this-world and it seems a lot of people agree. We’ve even had rival team bosses and drivers telling us how impressed they are, which is a real vote of confidence and testament to the incredible job done by Toyota GB and the Speedworks crew.

“It was a really productive few days out in Spain; we ticked off everything on our checklist and have come home with a lot of questions answered, and most importantly, the car felt absolutely superb. We didn’t really expect to be quick straight off the bat, but by the end of the first day at Calafat, we were already there-or-thereabouts. What was particularly encouraging was how well the Corolla responds to minor set-up changes compared to the Avensis, and its stability and braking performance are extraordinary.

“I’m feeling so excited – really buzzing. It’s so cool to be going into the season with a new car, and we are working tirelessly to make sure we are in a strong position by the first round. To get the benefit of so much testing is a major bonus, and hopefully we can go to Brands Hatch and fight immediately at the front.”

Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing's new recruit, Rob Collard, took to the wheel of a PMR Vauxhall Astra for the first time yesterday, racking up more than 130 trouble-free laps at Brands Hatch.

Collard, who won the 2003 Independents' honours in a Vauxhall Astra, hit the track to open the outfit's pre-season testing programme in earnest ahead of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, with new-team mate Jason Plato set to join the team on track next week at Snetterton.

The Hampshire driver managed to lap continually quicker as the day went on, with the legendary Kent race track subjected to a bevvy of winter weather conditions. Having competed successfully in rear-wheel drive BTCC machinery since 2008, the return to front-wheel drive is something that has troubled less-experienced drivers in the championship over the years, but Collard seemingly took the change in his stride, completing 133 laps on the day.

Going back to a front-wheel-drive car was always going to be slightly strange, but I’d got the feel of the car after a few laps," said Collard. "The team were spot on from the off, and we made changes throughout the day that saw us putting some really strong and consistent times down. Martin (Broadhurst, Team Manager) and the team have put together a fantastic car, and I’m feeling really good about the coming season.”

“Working with a driver as experienced as Rob can only benefit us as a team," added Broadhurst. "The feedback he has been able to give us on the car after just a few laps has been fantastic, and he used the day to settle into the car and get a feel for it, stating early on that he felt extremely comfortable with it. Coupling this with Rob's experience, alongside the last two years of data we have garnered, we’re feeling more positive than ever heading into a fresh BTCC campaign.”

Halfords Yuasa Racing has unveiled the new-look Honda Civic Type R (FK8) that will compete in the 2019 British Touring Car Championship.

Revealed in its striking new livery, the 2019 car is set to build on the current generation Type R's successful debut last year, with drivers Matt Neal and Dan Cammish each taking a pair of victories. Honda finished runner-up in the Manufacturers' championship while Halfords Yuasa Racing took second in the Teams' running.

In the five-month 'off season' Team Dynamics, which runs the Halfords Yuasa Racing team, has been working hard to further develop the Civic Type R ready to face even more fierce opposition in the 2019 BTCC season.
 
Dave Hodgetts, Honda UK Managing Director, said: "If the Civic Type R BTCC car goes as good as it looks, then we will be confident of strong results this season. After intensive winter development by Team Dynamics, and with our highly talented pairing of Matt Neal and Dan Cammish driving the cars, we are eagerly counting the days to the first race at Brands Hatch on 7th April."

“The whole team have worked really hard over the winter to improve on the package that we had in 2018 and this is just exemplified by the new livery," added James Rodgers, Team Manager. "It differentiates us from the crowd and combined with our technical changes should make for a competitive package in 2019.”

“The new livery on the FK8 looks awesome, having had a hand in the design process I’m really happy with the final results,” said Matt Neal, driver and Team Dynamics Director. 

“Wow! When I saw the livery I thought that will look awesome on track and on the TV, a real stand-out design. I can’t wait to get out testing in the car tomorrow at Donington,” echoed Dan Cammish.