EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com is hoping to impress this weekend (8/9 May) as the squad hits the track for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s season-opening event at Thruxton.

The Suffolk-based team heads for the fastest circuit on the calendar for what promises to be a big weekend in its short history in the series, with this marking the first outing for the team since doubling in size to a four-car programme over the winter.

Confidence is particularly high on the Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com side of the garage, with both Tom Ingram and Chris Smiley looking to put a big haul of points on the board to kick off their respective championship challenges.

Ingram will be making his race debut at the wheel of the #80 Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com Hyundai i30 N Fastback after signing with the team for what will be his eighth season in the series.

A double winner at Thruxton last year, Ingram will hope to challenge for silverware again this time around, with expectations high about a strong start to the year.

Northern Irish racer Smiley heads into the opening weekend having also shown solid pace during the only official test of the off-season at Silverstone, where he posted the 13th best time despite not chasing an outright fast time.

With a year of experience at the wheel of the Hyundai under his belt, Smiley will be aiming to improve on his previous Thruxton best of ninth place, with his ultimate goal to try and kick off his campaign with a trip to the podium.

The remaining two cars will be entered under the EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com name, with Jack Butel and Rick Parfitt both making their debuts with the team during this weekend’s trio of races.

Butel embarks on his second season in the series having made his BTCC debut last year, with Thruxton proving to be one of his strongest weekends as he picked up three top 20 finishes.

The Jerseyman has enjoyed a productive pre-season programme as he gets used to the Hyundai and will hope to challenge for points from the outset as he chases a strong start to his challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy; the award only open to drivers who haven’t scored an overall podium in the series.

For Parfitt, Thruxton will provide an additional challenge as he makes the switch into touring cars for the first time, with his career to this stage having been focused on GT competition.

Not only will this weekend be the first time that the 46-year-old has raced a front-wheel drive car, it will also be the first time he has ever competed at Thruxton; resulting in his main focus for the weekend – staying out of trouble and gaining as much knowledge as possible – given that the Hampshire circuit will play host to a second BTCC race meeting later in the year.

All three races this weekend will benefit from live coverage on ITV4 from 1050 on Sunday, with Saturday’s qualifying session being streamed live on itv.com/btcc from 1435.

"I’m feeling really good going into the opening weekend,” said Smiley. “We’ve been able to learn a lot during pre-season testing; particularly in the final three days of running. It’s been good working with Tom as we have similar driving styles, and we have been able to try out a lot of different things to improve the car from where it was last year.

"I think it’s wide open this season, and there are going to be a lot of people aiming for the top ten this weekend. A lot of it will come to down to who can get a lap in during qualifying, but we know we have a good car. The target is to maximise what we have, push to get into that top ten and see how far up we can get."

"Having been able to spend a few days in the car in pre-season testing, I have a newfound respect for BTCC drivers because there is a real knack to driving these cars,” reflected Parfitt. “You can’t just jump in and be quick.

"Thruxton is going to be a tough place for me to start because I’ve never driven there before, so I’m taking a massive step into the unknown and have no expectations in terms of results. I’m very much in the learning phase and whilst I’m not used to being at the back of the field, if that is where I am, then the only way for me to go is forwards.”

"Throughout pre-season testing, we have been able to make big steps forward with the car and the shape of the Hyundai is well suited to the high-speed nature of the Thruxton layout, which leaves me feeling quietly confident about what we can achieve,” admitted Ingram. “Of course there is an element of the unknown because we can’t test there before the weekend, but everyone else is in the same boat and I feel we are as prepared as we can be.

"I’m really excited about making my debut for the team and I want to be right up there fighting for pole and a win, as I have a good record around Thruxton in the past. However, it’s a long season and it’s important for the bigger picture to stay out of trouble and make sure we put as many points on the board as possible."

"Thruxton is the closest thing to a home circuit for me, and I’m excited about going there to get the new season underway,” added Butel. “Like everyone else, we haven’t been there to test the car so it will be interesting when we hit the track for the first practice session, but I’m going into it feeling confident.

"I’m looking forward to seeing where we stand in terms of pace when we get to round one and I’m hoping to work my way forwards across the weekend to try and get up towards the points, which is something I feel is certainly possible."

Reigning title-holder Ash Sutton is prepared to kick-start the defence of his crown during the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, which is set to begin around Thruxton Circuit this weekend (8/9 May). 

Off the back of a sensational 2020 season, which saw him clinch the biggest prize in UK motorsport for a second time, as well as wrap up the Independent Drivers’ title, Sutton remains with Laser Tools Racing to pilot the Infiniti Q50 once again. 

With the coveted number one adorning the side of his rear-wheel drive machine, the 27-year-old enters the forthcoming campaign in high spirits, buoyed by an encouraging pre-season testing programme. 

Clocking valuable mileage at a number of tracks on the championship’s 2021 calendar, the BRDC Superstar has worked through a methodical schedule and admits the improvements that have been made have left him excited to begin the ten-event, 30-race season. 

“It’s great to finally be able to launch the 2021 season and take the covers off the car to reveal the little tweaks to the livery,” said Sutton. “I think it looks mega! The anticipation and excitement have both been building in recent months, so it’s nice to know the season opener is just around the corner now. 

“Over the off-season, we’ve worked hard to evolve the car. It has almost been like having a blank canvas and we’ve been able to try lots of things we weren’t able to explore last year. There have been a few things that haven’t worked but, for the most part, the changes we’ve made have been reactive and unlocked some new avenues for us.

“Entering the season as defending champion and once again carrying that number one on the side of my car is a great reminder of what we achieved last year. However, it’s a new season and the competition is going to be fierce in the fight to retain the crown.

“I’m confident that we can arrive at Thruxton in a position to hit the front. I feel like I’m driving well and ready for the battle that lies ahead; I’m hungry to win a third title, so let’s get to work!”

The 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will blast into life around the fastest circuit in the UK on 8/9 May, albeit behind closed doors due to current UK government guidelines.

Toyota Gazoo Racing UK British Touring Car Championship star Rory Butcher is aiming to make his mark both on and off-track in 2021, after committing to offset his carbon footprint by planting trees at race circuits all around the country.
 
Butcher has been a leading contender in the UK’s premier motor racing series since making his BTCC debut four years ago, with six race wins to his name as well as the 2019 Independents’ title and Jack Sears Trophy.
 
For the forthcoming campaign – which gets underway at Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend (8/9 May) – the Scot has joined the Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Gazoo Racing UK outfit, as he plots an assault on the overall Drivers’ crown.
 
In addition to targeting the biggest prize in British motorsport, Butcher is also eager to play his part in protecting the environment, and has pledged to neutralise the carbon footprint generated by travelling to circuits and back from his home in Kirkcaldy.
 
Based upon his mileage and average fuel consumption, Butcher and Adam Brindle – CEO of commercial landscaping company, the Grounds Care Group – calculated that 72 established trees will need to be planted to instantly offset those annual emissions. Moreover, the 34-year-old has vowed to plant additional trees for every podium he achieves this season behind the wheel of his British-built Toyota Corolla – three for every victory, two per runner-up result and one for each third-place finish.
 
Butcher plans to plant the trees in November, which is peak season to ensure they have the best chance of taking root and fully growing, and he is currently seeking the support of all the tracks on the BTCC calendar. Silverstone – in conjunction with the British Racing Drivers’ Club, of which he is a member – and his home circuit of Knockhill have already confirmed their support for the initiative, whilst positive discussions are ongoing with other venues.
 
Rory Butcher, Driver, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, said:
 
“As a racing driver who travels all around the country to compete, I inevitably leave a carbon footprint, and with the Grounds Care Group being all about sustainability and biodiversity, that presented us with an opportunity. Together, we came up with the idea of trying to offset those emissions via a cool project, to help to spread the word about the urgency of tackling what is unquestionably one of the biggest issues of our time – climate change.
 
“I used to fly to race weekends, but this year I’ll be driving to them all in my new Toyota GR Supra from Toyota GB. That being the case, Adam [Brindle, Grounds Care Group CEO] and I calculated the carbon footprint of travelling from my home in Scotland to all BTCC races and associated events, meetings and tests, and the equivalent number of trees I will need to plant to counteract that. But then I decided I wanted to go even further, by factoring in more trees for every podium finish this season.
 
“On a personal level, this is tremendously important to me. I’ve got two kids, and I’m thinking of their future and want to help make sure the world is a better place for them as they grow up. We all have a duty to look for ways to reduce our carbon emissions and try to halt and reverse climate change.
 
“All the major automotive manufacturers are increasingly embracing electric or even hydrogen technology, and the BTCC as a championship will take the step to hybrid power next year. Toyota was a pioneer in the field when it launched the Prius all the way back in 1997, very much paving the way for others to follow, so to now be racing one of their cars in a championship that is making earnest efforts to go greener, it’s only right that I should also do my bit...”

Comfortably the highest scorer when the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship last visited Thruxton seven months ago, Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com’s Tom Ingram has his sights firmly set on further silverware in Hampshire this weekend (8/9 May).

As the fastest circuit in the country, Thruxton poses a unique challenge – one that Ingram has tamed on many a previous occasion. Not only was it the scene of his maiden car racing rostrum in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2009, but the talented young Bucks-born ace built upon that with his first victory a year later. Since joining the BTCC in 2014, he has finished inside the points there 20 times from 24 starts, including a sublime double victory last summer and three further podium appearances.

Pre-season testing behind the wheel of his new Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance has given Ingram plenty of cause for optimism approaching the forthcoming campaign. Indeed, the two-time BTCC Independents’ Champion featured consistently towards the sharp end of proceedings during the official group test at Silverstone last week, lapping fourth-quickest amongst the 29 high-calibre contenders – some of the very best touring car protagonists on the planet.

The 27-year-old will now travel to Thruxton this weekend (8/9 May) aiming to maintain that form on his competitive debut for Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com. All of the doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will once again be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4.

“I’ve got to admit, I’m feeling more excited going into this season than I’ve ever been," said Ingram. "Although I’m obviously in a different team for the first time in my BTCC career and driving a new car, my aims and expectations are exactly the same. I’m still targeting pole positions, race wins and podium finishes, and I still want to go into the final event in with a shout of the overall title.

“If I’m honest, it feels like I’ve been driving the Hyundai for years – everything is coming very easily. Season Launch marked the fastest I’d ever been around Silverstone, which was really encouraging – and that was without even chasing lap times.

“It looks like being an ultra-competitive year based on what we’ve seen so far and it’s certainly going to be close, but I feel we’re in a good position as a team as we look towards the first round. I love going to Thruxton – it’s a proper white-knuckle, seat-of-the-pants ride and you really need to hold on tight, and the Hyundai should be quick there. Qualifying with no weight on-board will be awesome and will reward the drivers who put it all on the line. Have no doubt about it – we’re going to be pushing for pole!”

“It barely seems like yesterday that Tom agreed to join us for the 2021 BTCC season, and here we are about to head to Thruxton for the opening rounds," reflected Team Owner Justina Williams. "The time has absolutely flown by, which is testament to the way in which Tom has settled into the team – it genuinely feels like he has been part of the EXCELR8 family for years.

“Testing has been very positive and productive, and we are quietly confident about our prospects. Thruxton is a circuit like no other on the calendar, and one that should suit the Hyundai i30N well, particularly with a year’s development now under its belt and all the upgrades that we have brought to it over the winter. It’s also a track at which Tom has invariably shone, so we are all extremely excited to see what he can achieve on his first weekend in Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com colours. Bring it on!”

Dan Cammish, title contender in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in both 2019 and 2020, will make a guest return to the category at Thruxton this coming weekend (8/9 May) after joining BTC Racing to pilot the team’s third Honda Civic Type-R FK8.

Cammish, who is no stranger to the Honda FK8 having raced with Team Dynamics in the BTCC for three seasons between 2018 and 2020, will make his maiden appearance in BTC Racing colours on Saturday, ahead of the first three races of the season on Sunday.

Joining fellow championship front-runner and race winner Josh Cook and BTCC rookie Jade Edwards at Brackley-based BTC for rounds one, two and three of the new campaign, 32-year-old Leeds born driver Cammish will pilot the #27 car.

Finishing third in the overall standings in both 2019 and 2020, Cammish has taken eight career victories in the BTCC and in his debut season he won the Jack Sears Trophy. Prior to debuting in touring cars, Cammish was a back-to-back Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion in 2015 and 2016.

Cammish’s guest appearance with BTC this weekend – he is again contesting Porsche Carrera Cup GB this year – comes as the team continues to evaluate drivers for its third car for the remainder of the 2021 BTCC season. Team owner Steve Dudman intends to make an announcement on this in due course.

Steve Dudman – BTC Racing Owner and Team Principal:

“We are absolutely elated to have Dan in the car and joining us for Thruxton, it’s not only fantastic news for BTC Racing but for the championship as a whole too. Anybody who has watched the BTCC over the last three years knows Dan’s quality, speed and tenacity. He was very unlucky not to have won the championship a couple of years ago, he’s a driver with incredible pedigree. “When the third car became available so close to the opening weekend of the season, I wanted to ensure we had an experienced and highly successful driver joining us for Thruxton. I think we can safely say, Dan fits that particular bill perfectly and we cannot wait to work with him this weekend.”

BTCC debutant Rick Parfitt recently talked to the official BTCC website as he prepares to make his bow in the UK’s premier motorsport series at Thruxton this coming weekend (8/9 May). 

The musician come racing driver talks about his family, health, career and excitement ahead of the Thruxton weekend, while admitting there’s still ‘lots to learn’ when it comes to the BTCC.

Click below to listen to the full interview…

Chief Executive Alan Gow talks to the official BTCC website as we approach the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, kicking off at Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend (8/9 May).

“Thruxton is such a great way to start – there’s equal amount of joy and trepidation among the drivers… it’s such a great theatre to have!” enthused the BTCC boss.

Gow talks about what is sure to be a fantastic season on-track, as well as looking forward to the return of spectators from the Snetterton race weekend onwards.

Listen to the full interview below…