JCT600 and GardX are delighted to announce joint team sponsorship of West Surrey Racing for the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. The new partnership will see both Sam Tordoff and Rob Collard piloting the all-conquering BMWs under the ‘Team JCT600 with GardX’ banner.

WSR – one of the world’s leading and most successful touring car teams – took a clean sweep of BTCC titles in 2014, culminating in a quartet of trophies being proudly displayed at its Surrey base. The multiple champion squad has already enjoyed an exciting off-season having announced that young gun Tordoff would be team-mate to the experienced race-winner Collard, whilst three-time World Touring Car champ Andy Priaulx will drive a third WSR-run BMW 1 Series.

The outfit has far from rested on its championship winning laurels, however, having continued to test and develop its machines over the winter in preparation for a title defence with JCT600 and GardX.

Both JCT600 and GardX have a long association with motorsport. JCT600 founder, Jack Tordoff, was a successful International Rally Driver in the 60’s and 70’s, winning the Circuit of Ireland Rally in his ubiquitous Porsche 911 Carrera RS back in 1973.

His Grandson Sam is now following firmly in his footsteps having cut a rapid ascent through the motor racing ranks. From karting through to race-winning campaigns in both the UK Renault Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Sam’s cars have always carried both the JCT600 and GardX logos. That tradition continued in his first two seasons in Britain’s premier series, the BTCC, where the Yorkshireman claimed two victories.

Now making his move to the most successful team on last year’s grid, and with the continued support of JCT600 and GardX, Tordoff believes he is in the best possible position to contend for a maiden tin top title.

“I am absolutely delighted to have joined WSR and to be continuing my long-term partnership with JCT600 and GardX,” said Tordoff. “We have already had many great times together – including a number of victories – but this is by far our biggest and most exciting challenge yet. We have proved we can achieve great things and my career would simply not be possible without their support. Now I am racing for the best team to compliment my already outstanding partners and I can’t wait to get the season underway.”

Collard meanwhile is preparing to start his sixth successive season with WSR, bringing a wealth of speed and experience that has seen the popular Hampshire driver score an impressive eight career victories so far.

“Well the cars look absolutely stunning and it’s great to welcome JCT600 and GardX to the WSR family,” he said. “We have proved the WSR-run BMWs are the leading lights in the BTCC and we’re keen to show we can stay out front and contend for yet more championships in 2015.”

JCT600 are one of the UK’s most highly respected Motor Retailers with 50 Dealerships across the North of England and have represented the BMW brand in Yorkshire since 1978. GardX are the sole supplier of Vehicle Protection Systems to JCT600, providing exterior and interior protection solutions on all retail vehicles sold. Along with their industry leading products and services, both companies are equally delighted to be so heavily involved with one of the world’s best series’ and touring car teams.

John Tordoff, JCT600 Chief Executive, explained: “JCT600 has a long and successful history in both Motor Retail and motorport; for us the two go ‘hand in hand’. Our joint sponsorship of the West Surrey Racing British Touring Car Team for 2015 gives us a great platform to increase our exposure as a BMW Retailer whilst also being associated with a highly respected, race and championship winning team. Just like JCT600, WSR like to win! We couldn’t have put this deal together without the support of GardX and we are all looking forward to the season ahead.”

The team will use a range of GardX products throughout the season, highlighting the success and effectiveness of the brand. GardX Protection provide industry leading products for the motoring world, famously known for their paint and fabric protection. They also offer an innovative range of insurance based products, including Complete Wheel Protection, Cosmetic Accident Repair and GAP. In addition to this, a range of GardX Aftermarket products such as fuel and engine additives, emergency tyre repair and air conditioning cleaners, are also available.

Victor Coutin, GardX Managing Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring WSR for the 2015 season. We have been proudly sponsoring Sam Tordoff since 2010, and to be able to continue this as now a headline sponsor for his and Rob Collard’s forthcoming BTCC season is a privilege, as is the association with a winning team such as WSR.”

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, concludes: “We have enjoyed a number of successful seasons in the BTCC, none more so than in 2014, and we’re looking to build on that success with both JCT600 and GardX. The two brands, along with BMW and WSR, are industry leaders in their respective fields and we believe it’s a perfect match for 2015 and beyond.”

The striking pair of German machines will sport the familiar BMW white during the BTCC season and be complemented by colours representing both JCT600 and GardX in a design that is sure to delight fans up and down the country. Please see the attached images and associated video to get the full look before the cars are officially unveiled at the BTCC Season Launch on Tuesday 24^th March at Donington Park.

The opening round of the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will take place at Brands Hatch on 4/5 April. ITV broadcasts each and every race live and in high definition on ITV4, whilst trackside crowds are regularly upwards of 40,000 at each venue.

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team Handy Motorsport has announced a new headline sponsor for its sophomore season with Webb Garden Power Equipment, one of the fastest growing brands in its sector, substantially increasing its support for 2015.

The news comes after Belcher and his squad completed an extensive pre-season testing programme at Silverstone, Rockingham, Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Donington, with new engineer Geoff Kingston reportedly bringing major improvements to the set-up of the Avensis.

Having been part of driver Simon Belcher’s sponsorship portfolio last year during his maiden season in the BTCC, Webb Garden Power will now be the prominent brand displayed on the Swindon racer’s Toyota Avensis – having been featured on the rear bumper last season.

Belcher’s long-standing backer KÄRCHER, a key commercial partner for his motorsport career since 2004, still remains on board for the coming season but is relocating its presence on the car and the team livery as a whole in order to help Handy Motorsport realise a long-term future in the BTCC.

“We’re obviously delighted Webb Garden Power Equipment is going to be our headline sponsor for 2015”, said Belcher, “It’s absolutely fantastic the brand is ramping up its support ahead of our second season in the BTCC – arguably the best shop window in British motorsport.

“Central to this whole deal is the unstinting support of KÄRCHER, which remains a major part of our portfolio and part of our plans for the team going forward. As well as thanking Webb Garden Power for its additional backing, we also need to say a big thank you to KÄRCHER for making the space available. Rotating sponsors on key areas of the car is important for our vision going forward.” 

Webb Garden Power Equipment is certainly no stranger to motorsport sponsorship, having featured on Dave Newsham’s Vauxhall Vectra in the BTCC in 2012. Increasing its presence with Belcher for the new season, Webb is utilising its involvement in the championship to drive brand awareness during a year in which Handy Motorsport is focused on making significant progress.

More updates will come from the team ahead of the championship curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, but for the annual Season Launch at Donington Park next Tuesday, 24th March, the Toyota will run with an interim spec.

Rob Austin Racing drivers Rob Austin (Evesham) and Hunter Abbott (Maidenhead) are keeping quiet about their chances in this year’s Dunlop British Touring Car Championship after completing their first two days of testing of 2015.

Rob’s and Hunter’s Audi A4s – both in plain black livery – collectively racked up more than 300 laps of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent earlier this week, a venue which will host the BTCC’s opening three races of the new season in front of a huge trackside crowd and live ITV4 cameras on the weekend of Sat 4/Sun 5 April.

Currently the cars are being re-fettled at RAR's Pershore base ahead of more testing during next Tuesday’s (24 March) high-profile BTCC Season Launch at Donington Park, Leics.

Rob said: “During the winter break we’ve developed some aesthetic changes which people will finally get to see on Media Day, but we have also re-engineered certain areas of the cars under the skin as well as restructuring our staffing and engineering team. Brands Hatch was our first chance to see it all come together.

“I was very happy with the two days, the team worked brilliantly and the cars ran faultlessly! We have a competitive car at Brands anyway and we have managed to improve it again as well as working to develop a very different set-up which we believe will bring us to the front at the circuits that we have historically struggled at.

“The new set-up requires further development which we will continue to work on at the Donington Media day. However progress so far has exceeded expectations which is exciting.”

Hunter added: “A lot of the changes for 2015 are fundamental and demonstrate a completely new philosophy on the dynamics of the vehicle. There’s more we can unlock from the Audi but it required a re-think. Sometimes to make a leap forward you have to take a step backwards and as a result we need to find our baseline set-up again.

“The two days at Brands Hatch were very productive. Rob and I tried very different things over the course of the two days to cover as many variables as possible in the timeframe we had. Next week at Donington we’ll take the best of what we found across both cars at Brands and start to converge them, working towards proving the new concept.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Phil Laughton

The new Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team, Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing, took the opportunity to learn from the masters in motorsport today by spending time with the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1™ team at its factory in Milton Keynes.

In preparation for the season opener at the beginning of April at Brands Hatch, ISOPR, based at Mallory Park, Leicestershire, made the short trip to Milton Keynes to see how Infiniti Red Bull Racing work and prepare for F1™ races. The team had the behind-the-scenes tour and met staff from various departments, with an emphasis on race prep.
And in addition to spending time with the Red Bull F1 pitcrew — which showed the ISOPR team how crucial meticulous teamwork is in Red Bull being able to replace four wheels on an F1 car in under 3secs — the Paras had a session in the Red Bull gym.

The guys were shown a series of exercises — all adapted to cope with their numerous injuries — to help them maintain a high level of fitness for the challenging 10-weekend, 30-race BTCC season.

“It is great having the BTCC team, Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing, at our factory and using the similarities between the two teams as an opportunity to learn,” said Infiniti Red Bull Racing team manager Jonathan Wheatley.

“It is great seeing the motivation of the BTCC Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing team and how they work together. Hopefully the day has given them a good insight to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing factory and how we go about starting the season.”

ISOPR’s program for the year involves training their rookie crew not only for the specific mechanical jobs associated with running a professional motorsports team, but also the environment around it: the logistics, the forward planning, even the mundane-but-vital details like keeping everyone fed, rested and fit. Coming to the factory was designed to give them a few things to think about ahead of the season.

“I had to keep pinching myself today,” said former paratrooper Mike Lewis, injured by an IED in Afghanistan after two deployments in Iraq. “I've watched the Infiniti Red Bull Racing guys change tyres on the Formula One car for years on the TV, and today I not only watched them in action, but worked alongside them.

"It's been a privilege. These guys are the best at what they do: of that there is no question. Sure, we don't need to carry out pit-stops in the BTCC, but we've all learned so much today about how important it is to work as a unit, and as a team.

"We also spent time in the Red Bull gym, where we received a number of exercise tips aimed at ensuring we become some of the fittest guys in our paddock. Overall it's been a wonderful experience, and to get a glimpse inside the secret workings of Infiniti Red Bull Racing will certainly fuel us towards making an impact in the BTCC."

Lewis's views were mirrored by Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing team principal, Derek Palmer Sr.

"This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity not just for the Paras, but for any team on the BTCC grid," Palmer said. "It's clear, just having spoken with the guys, that they've taken a huge amount from the time they've spent working with the Infiniti Red Bull Racing crew, who I need to thank for giving us this unique opportunity.

"F1 is the pinnacle of global motorsport, and Red Bull won the Manufacturers' World Championship for four successive seasons, so they clearly are the benchmark in the sport.

"We may be coming into the BTCC as newcomers, but we are definitely prepared for the challenges which we'll understandably face in our first season. And there's no question that the guys are even better prepared now having spent time to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing crew."

The BTCC team, who will be driving Infiniti Q50s in the Championship, have been entered with the aim of raising awareness and funds for Support Our Paras, the official charity of the Britain Army's iconic Parachute Regiment.
The team are employing injured paratroopers to prepare the cars, and have a long-term goal of eventually training an injured paratrooper to compete behind the wheel.

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images for Infiniti

Honda has announced it is to race the new Civic Type R in the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season.  Scheduled to be officially unveiled at the BTCC media day at Donington on Tuesday 24 March, the new car has been designed and built from the ground up in the Team Dynamics workshops in Pershore, Worcestershire.

Working in close conjunction with Honda UK manufacturing in Swindon, Honda Yuasa Racing started designing the car last September with the build starting in November.

Based on the production version of the new Civic Type R which is due to hit showrooms in July, the race version will develop 350bhp with 400Nm of torque.  By building on the existing road car, which was sourced direct from the Honda UK factory in Swindon, the team has produced a car which has increased down force compared to last year’s Tourer, less drag and a more effective air flow management.

The team has high hopes for 2015 as Barry Plowman, Technical Director at Honda Yuasa Racing, explains: “We cannot wait for the new season to start.  Our car for 2015 is going to win races.  The shape of the new road going Civic Type R has allowed the team to build on the design and take it forward to be a championship winning car.

“2015 is widely being billed as the year Honda is back and we are continuing that in to BTCC. We’ve worked hard over the winter to ensure we have a winning car for 2015.”

The announcement comes as the team recently confirmed an unchanged driver line-up of Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal for the sixth consecutive season.

“This is a car that not just us, but the entire automotive industry has been waiting for,” added Matt Neal. “We are as excited as anybody to start running the Civic Type R, which is a massive step forward from last year’s Tourer – from the engine to the handling and aerodynamics.”

“The Civic Type R is an iconic car,” commented 2012 BTCC Champion Shedden.  “We are champing at the bit to get this distinctive, aggressive looking car out on the track. It’s going to stand out and cause a real stir on the track. Especially when we clean up in the championship!”

Kent-based squad Motorbase Performance will miss the first half of the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season, with Team Principal David Bartrum confirming his squad’s withdrawal from the grid in the best interest of his team and its partners.

“It is with regret that I have to announce that Motorbase will not be competing in the BTCC for the first half of this season;” said team boss Bartrum. “I and the rest of the team are obviously very disappointed.”

During the closed season, the team has worked alongside technical partners mountune™, Pro Alloy, Samcosport, Milltek and Specialty Fasteners in developing the new EcoBoost engine in preparation for its 2015 title assault.

“The EcoBoost engine has shown great promise during testing and we have a great driver line up in place with Mat Jackson back for his sixth season with us joined by James Cole, who is a really good addition to the team. We genuinely believe that we have a strong package that could challenge for the title this season; but this is not a championship that can be committed to half-hearted and unfortunately our hand has been forced. We have been in lengthy talks with two potential title sponsors since November and all seemed like it was going to plan, however things have conspired against us in recent weeks and due to a change in circumstance with those parties we find ourselves in the position we’re in.

“This does not mean the end for Motorbase in the BTCC;” continued Bartrum. “Both Mat and James are still on board and we remain committed to the BTCC. We will continue our search for new partners and our aim is to be back on the grid at Snetterton. We will of course work with Alan Gow and TOCA to find the best way forward to be back competing for the second half of the season with a two car team. Obviously that will include finding a way to address the TBL (BTCC licensing) issues that our short-term withdrawal raises. But hopefully we can find a way through this, with Alan.

“I’m pleased to announce that Team Parker racing will take over the operation of Alex Martin in the Dextra Racing effort, which will be supported by Motorbase Performance. Our decision to withdraw from the start of this season has had no bearing on this situation. Stuart [Parker] has been involved with the Alex Martin entry since Alex joined us last year. Team Parker Racing has had strong links with us for many years and we’re delighted to be working with Stuart and his team whilst continuing to support AMD in their efforts in the BTCC this year.

“At the end of the day we’re a business as well as a racing team and this is a purely commercial decision. In the meantime, we’ll press on and strive to be back on the grid for the second half of the season. I would like to thank all of those involved in our BTCC program over the last nine years, especially Dunlop and TOCA and those who are standing by us to help us come back stronger later in the year.”

If the last few weeks have proved anything, it is that most drivers in this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship believe that they will be champion.

You hear the same message from most of them: yes, we will be competitive; yes, we believe we have a great package; yes, we think we will be able to win at Brands; yes, I am confident for the season ahead.

But with the entry as it stands – and a few announcements still to be made as I type this – there will surely be a lot of disappointed people. Yet again, you see, we are in for a super-competitive season. And with a record-breaking 11 different winners last season, that is saying something. So... who is going to be champion?

Well, that is a very tough question to answer. Not only do we have the shuffling of drivers to different teams, plus the return of Andy Priaulx, but you also have to factor in the difference that the new ballast rules will have and the race two grid format as well.

Let’s start with the ballast: there is more of it in two senses: first, it covers the top 10 and second it is in greater supply: 75-66-57-48-39-33-27-21-15-9 now and there will be some venues where lugging around all that lead is going to be a major handicap. Then, the race two grid. It is now to be decided upon a driver’s fastest lap in the opening race, but you HAVE to finish. If you haven’t done 90% of the distance and you don’t take the chequered flag on the track, then you are at the back of the grid irrespective of how good your lap time is. Here are two areas straight away that will have an impact and it could be that the really shrewd drivers will play a points game on occasions: take the points and the extra weight or fewer points and less weight for the next race. It will be interesting to see how the brains’ trust on the pit wall applies itself to this.

So, with the weight and full grids to bear in mind as drivers hunt for clear track space, there are some fascinating driver/team combinations as well to address.

Andrew Jordan and Jack Goff at Triple Eight. Jordan is a championship contender no question, and Goff has his best chance yet of a win but in a sense there is more pressure now. He HAS to win this year. There can be no excuses as he has the tools for the job.

Andy Priaulx, Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff at WSR. Now, Collard has proved he can win but has been overshadowed by Colin Turkington over the last couple of seasons and needs to assert himself again. Tordoff has proved he can win races but is new to the BMW despite the team saying that he has impressed in testing to date. It will be interesting to see how he fares, free of Jason Plato’s shadow at Triple Eight as was the case last year but he won’t find it easy and nor will Priaulx despite his impressive CV as he has to adapt to the quirks of NGTC-spec cars and to the rough and tumble of BTCC. To be a major threat for the title, AP has to be on it at Brands without any hesitation.

Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden at Honda Yuasa Racing. The quietest team in the off-season, with its only news being that there was no news: the drivers would carry on for another season. The Tourer is expected to be gone and a hatchback Civic to return, albeit we know not what badge it will carry, but this could be the strongest combination on the grid. Continuity will be important and the team has that and in Shedden it has one of the gutsiest drivers on the grid. Neal struggled at times last year and if he can’t run at the very front in every race, expect Matt to be a championship factor by dint of scoring points but not larding himself up with too much weight all the time. The new ballast rules could be good for him.

Colin Turkington, Jason Plato, Aron Smith and Warren Scott at Team BMR. For many, this team’s announcement of Turks and Plato was the 'OMG' moment of the off-season. On one level, it should be the BTCC super-team: quick car, proven drivers, decent budget. On another it could be a real hornet’s nest: Turkington and Plato want to prove who is best; Plato wants to show that the BMW last year had an advantage; Turkington hasn’t raced a front-wheel drive car since his WTCC one-off in an RML Chevrolet in 2012; Turkington and Plato are new to the team (although ex-Triple Eight personnel helps Plato a little); Smith and Plato have history from Knockhill 2012; there is a Northern and Southern Irishman in the same team… on it goes!

And that is just the leading teams. Yes, I know I have ignored many but remember that in a championship this competitive you have to be scoring well in every race – the track-dependent heroics aren’t enough any more: you have to have a car that works well everywhere.

I know that we all talk up a season ahead, but this is a superb one with so much unpredictability to spice it up. Last year we had seven former champions to get excited about, two of whom never really threatened for honours, and in truth were never likely to. This year, we have the best of the BTCC’s recent history and a season to savour. A champion? Ask me in October…