Mikey Doble is poised to take on what will be the biggest season of his racing career to date in 2023 after confirming that he will step up into the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship with CarStore Power Maxed Racing.
Graduating to the UK’s premier motorsport series off the back of a remarkable campaign last year which saw him clinch two championship titles, the 24-year-old will join forces with race winner Aron Taylor-Smith and fellow rookie Andrew Watson to pilot one of the Independent squad’s three Vauxhall Astras.
Boasting a wealth of experience on his rise through the motorsport ranks, the Surrey-based driver is no stranger to the TOCA package having been one of the leading lights in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge over recent years.
In 2022, Doble produced a superb season-long performance – chalking up a total of 12 victories and 10 further podium finishes – in both the Ginetta GT5 Challenge and BMW Compact Cup to ultimately be crowned the champion of each category on the same, thrilling weekend.
That success – alongside partnerships with the likes of Fewkes Sport Management – has since paved the way for him to achieve his lifelong dream of competing in the BTCC and doing so with a team that has a proven track record of success.
Power Maxed Racing has built a reputation for helping some of the series’ most successful drivers kickstart their careers and guide them to victory in the Jack Sears Trophy – something that Doble will be targeting over the course of the year.
Doble will commence pre-season testing in his front-wheel drive machine in the coming weeks before the official BTCC Season Launch takes place at Brands Hatch on 12 April.
“To be able to announce I’ll be joining the BTCC for 2023 is an absolute dream come true,” said Doble. “I’ve watched the BTCC for more than 20 years and have always had my sights set on one day becoming a touring car driver.
“I’d like to thank CarStore Power Maxed Racing for believing in me enough to give me this opportunity; joining their line-up gives me great confidence in taking on the challenge of what will be my rookie year in the BTCC.
“Stepping up into the BTCC is of course a huge jump for anyone, but with the professionalism and experience that PMR possesses, I’ll be aiming to score points and challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy. I can’t wait to begin working with them – it’s going to be a fantastic season and I’m eager to get things underway in April!”
“We have been used to winters being a dark place for us,” added Team Principal Adam Weaver. “Having to get everything agreed again for another year is nerve-wracking, however, this year it’s been incredible. Having the security of a multiyear deal with CarStore has allowed us to go into winter with confidence and put our efforts into car and staff development, as well as building an additional car and securing another (TBL) in order to welcome yet another great prospect to the BTCC.
"Having helped two drivers win the Jack Sears Trophy, now we will have two of the team eligible in one year. Mikey is a talented and focused individual, and we can’t wait to realise his dreams with him.
“We have never been more excited and confident about the season ahead of us and look forward to getting back to winning ways.”
