Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship series organiser, TOCA, has today (13 July) announced that Technical Director Peter Riches will be retiring from the position at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Peter’s illustrious BTCC career spans an impressive four decades, and at the end of the year he will have worked at more than 320 race events, 820 races and 30 seasons, with his expertise paramount in technical developments within Britain’s premier motorsport series over the years, while his involvement within the motorsport industry goes back to the 1970s.
While throughout 2023 Peter will be retained as a consultant in order to assist the TOCA Technical team, his retirement will see Sam Riches step into the role, having also worked within the BTCC for more than 20 seasons himself, importantly providing a seamless transition moving forwards.
One of the most recognisable and familiar characters in the BTCC, Peter’s experience within the championship is in a different league to the majority of the paddock and everyone in the BTCC wishes Peter all the best for the future.
Peter Riches, TOCA Technical Director, said: “This is something we’ve been preparing for, and I feel ready to retire, the world is so different now to where we started. I had a set of scales in the pit lane and rev limiters and that was it basically, and now we’ve got a 40-foot trailer full of kit, the world has moved on!
“[As a consultant] next year, I’ll be in more of a guiding role, maintaining the things we’ve done in the past and ensuring the wheel doesn’t get reinvented and become square in order to have a smooth transition. What we don’t want to do is change the direction we’ve been going in, so my knowledge will still be there if required.”
Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Peter’s retirement will mark a significant change for the championship but I’m confident that it will be a successful transition as Sam takes the reins. Having been an integral part of the BTCC since 1993, Peter’s departure will be felt throughout the TOCA paddock, but we’re pleased to be retaining his services as a consultant throughout the 2023 season and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
