Tom Chilton joined the BTCC with Barwell Motorsport in 2002. At the time, he was the youngest driver ever to take to the grid at 17 years of age. He was quick right off the bat taking 15th overall and fifth in the Independents’ Championship. Arena Motorsport was his next destination, from 2003 to 2005. His first victory in the championship came in 2004 at Silverstone – making him the series’ youngest-ever winner. In 2005, he juggled his BTCC commitments with the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), meaning he missed six races but still finished fifth in the standings.
A return to Vauxhall followed in 2006 – this time with VX Racing. Chilton sped to a handful of podiums in 2006 and 2007 in the Astra and subsequently the new Vectra, but chose to move on for 2008 – back to Honda machinery at Team Halfords as team-mate to Gordon Shedden. A dominant victory at Brands Hatch marked his first since 2005 and ensured tenth spot in the points table.
For 2009, Chilton rejoined Arena Motorsport to pilot a brand new Ford Focus ST – but even significant in-season development could only yield 13th in the standings. A switch to LPG propulsion in 2010 produced four pole positions and the Independents’ Championship. In 2011, the team introduced the third-generation Ford Focus, with Chilton racing it to two victories and seventh in the Drivers’ Championship.
After five years in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Chilton returned to the BTCC with Power Maxed Racing in 2017 immediately scooping silverware in the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser. For 2018, he moved back to Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher’s Focus RS, performing consistently well on the way to third in the Drivers’ Championship.
He stayed with the Motorbase-backed team in 2019 and scored a sole victory at Croft.
Chilton made the switch to BTC Racing and the Honda Civic Type R for the 2020 season, bagging three podiums and a top-ten finish in the overall standings.
In 2021, Chilton announced a move to Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport and ended a mixed campaign with a trio of top ten finishes.
At the dawn of the Hybrid Era, Chilton made the switch to Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com. Here, he tackled a tough campaign, with a smattering of retirements throughout the year curtailing his championship charge. He did however prove his strength, only finishing outside of points-paying positions on six occasions, and securing eight top-ten finishes.
The Surrey racer will be aiming to build on the previous two years, entering his third season with EXCELR8 for Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS.
Following a hugely challenging off-season, Team HARD. Racing has today (4th March) confirmed a two-car entry into the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, continuing its 13-year history already formed in the UK’s premier motorsport championship.
Thanks to its ongoing partnership with Aiden Moffat Racing, Team HARD. will utilise the two TBLs – required in order to compete in the BTCC – already held by the former and both organisations will continue to work together over the course of the season.
The winter has seen many changes for Kent-based Team HARD., including a full reset and restructure, culminating in a much downscaled but focussed operation.
Lessons have been learned along the way – both on and off-track – and as such Team HARD. believes it to be more beneficial to concentrate on a two-car entry, rather than continuing to run up to six cars in the BTCC.
A huge effort has been undertaken to keep the team moving forwards, with a lot of work still to be completed behind-the-scenes. Team HARD. will operate from a smaller premises in Kent with a family focussed effort, which team boss – Tony Gilham – believes is the beginning of a new and exciting future for the squad.
“I have made many mistakes over the years, some poor business decisions and ultimately over ambition has had a huge negative impact on us as a team,” said Gilham. “TOCA and Alan Gow have been very supportive, and I want to thank each and every person that has been there for me during these tough times. We have lots to repair, the rebuild has begun and I will continue to fight to get us back to where we should and need to be.
“We have helped many people over the years and will need the loyal support of trusted friends, colleagues and partners moving forwards to achieve what we are setting out to do.
“There has been lots of online and social media activity – both good and bad – and we will do everything possible to rebuild our team, reputation and any damaged relationships that have happened as a result. We most definitely tried to take on too much and were let down by what the team thought were some trusted allies, whilst also suffering from the effects of both Covid and the economic climate.
“We are excited about what lies ahead and everything possible will be done to ensure the business looks forward to a brighter future.”
Team HARD. has launched and supported the careers of many drivers and partners over the years and has already secured and signed its first driver for the 2024 BTCC season, which will be announced over the coming days, whilst discussions continue with regard to the final seat.
After two consecutive third place finishes in the BTCC championship, Jake Hill has everything in place earlier than ever for his attack on the title. That may seem straight-forward but there is a long road that got Jake to where he is today.
We talk to Jake on his path to today, his newborn son, his love for historic cars and what a worry-free pre-season looks like ahead of the 2024 season.