Multiple race-winner Josh Cook will return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park this weekend (30-31 August), as James Dorlin temporarily steps back from his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA race seat by mutual agreement, with the objective of coming back stronger in 2026.
To BTCC fans, Cook needs no introduction. A driver with more than 300 starts under his belt in the country’s premier motorsport championship, the Bath-born ace is 20 times an outright race-winner – placing him 19th on the all-time roll of honour – and has finished inside the top six in the overall standings more often than not, including in each of the past four campaigns, peaking with third position in 2021.
The 34-year-old is also no stranger to Northwich, Cheshire-based Speedworks Motorsport – the outfit that prepares and operates the four-strong stable of British-built Toyota Corolla GR Sport contenders in the BTCC. He previously competed for the squad in 2024, tallying a brace of victories and seven further rostrum results behind the wheel of the potent Japanese ‘hot hatch’.
Cook has renewed his relationship with the team in recent weeks, after being recruited as a driver coach and mentor for Max Buxton, and he will now take the place of Dorlin for the final three race weekends in 2025.
Dorlin will remain part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA family, the mutual decision has been taken for him to step back for the remainder of the current campaign in the interests of forging a successful long-term partnership together in the championship.
Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, said: “Firstly, I would like to be clear that James is still very much part of the team, and he will be on-site with us in the garage at all three upcoming race weekends. It has been a pleasure to witness his progress over the course of this season, and he remains in our future plans. We jointly came to the conclusion that his stepping down would be beneficial to his prospects in the longer-term, in allowing him to focus fully on 2026, when we hope to see him return to the grid.
“We obviously already know Josh well not only from last year but also from recent events, where he has acted as a mentor to Max Buxton, who has been unequivocal about the positive impact that Josh’s input has made as he learns the ropes in the BTCC. His skill behind the wheel is unquestionable, and having already piloted the Toyota to the top step of the podium on more than one occasion, we are eager to see what we can accomplish together over the coming races.”
Josh Cook said: “I’m really excited to be returning to the track in the Toyota. It’s all come together quite last-minute, and I need to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everybody at Speedworks Motorsport for giving me this opportunity. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside the whole TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA crew and my three new team-mates.
“It’s been a few weeks since I was last in a BTCC car, and the Corolla is now 55kg lighter than when I previously drove it due to the removal of the hybrid system. There will inevitably be some initial set-up exploration to get it into a place where I feel happy and comfortable, but I know the team well and they know the car inside-out, so I’m confident that together, we can quickly get up-to-speed and begin pushing for some strong results.”
James Dorlin said: “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Speedworks and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA set-up in the BTCC, but things haven’t worked out as we’d hoped recently. It’s been a tough decision for us all to take, particularly with the strong relationship we’ve built, but we feel it is more beneficial at this stage to step back and focus with the team on 2026, when the aim will be to challenge for podiums and race wins together.”
