Stephen Jelley will make a popular return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this year, with the multiple race-winner completing One Motorsport’s driver line-up for the 2025 season.
The signing of the 42-year-old - who will race alongside 20-time BTCC race winner Josh Cook - means that both Honda Civic Type R seats at the returning Brackley-based team are now filled ahead of the new campaign in the UK’s premier motorsport series.
Starting his career in single-seaters, Jelley made his BTCC debut in 2008 with West Surrey Racing. After two years he moved onto fresh pastures where he enjoyed a period of success in GT and sportscars, both on British shores and internationally.
In 2017, the Leicester racer returned to touring cars and spent four seasons with Team Parker Racing before heading back to West Surrey Racing in 2021. After three more campaigns with the team, he elected to make the switch to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain last year.
With no less than 262 BTCC starts under his belt; Jelley has achieved a total of four race wins, 16 podiums, one pole position and two fastest laps in his career to-date.
Now making the move to One Motorsport, the forthcoming season will be just the second of his BTCC career in which he has competed in a front-wheel-drive machine - and it is a prospect that he’s relishing.
Stephen Jelley: “It’s fantastic to be back in the BTCC and to be a part of One Motorsport. If I’m honest I didn’t think I’d get another crack at the championship so to be back is a victory in itself; it’s an opportunity that really excites me.
“With the team taking a sabbatical last year I wasn’t sure how things were shaping up behind the scenes but after Josh helped make some introductions it quickly became clear that lots of work has been going on by a great bunch of people and that the team is back in a big way.
“I’ve obviously spent a good few years racing against the Honda so to now have the chance to get behind the wheel myself is something I’m relishing. I’ve got to make that transition back to front-wheel-drive but having a well-sorted car underneath me will accelerate that process.
“Going into the season we’ve got a couple of test days planned and they’ll be invaluable. I’m not naive though in thinking that the first few events will be all about learning; come the Thruxton meeting though I want to be dialled in and challenging for the best results possible.”
Steve Dudman, One Motorsport Team Owner: “We’re very pleased to welcome Stephen to the team. He’s a great fit for One Motorsport and he brings with him a wealth of experience, calm professionalism and balance, of not only competing in the BTCC, but winning in the championship as well.
“The championship is shaping up to be as competitive as ever this year and with Stephen now joining Josh, I’m confident that we have two drivers that will give us a great chance of success in all areas for 2025.”
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences at Donington Park on April 26-27.
