Speedworks Motorsport has taken the wraps off its 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) challenger, with high hopes that the facelifted Toyota Avensis will help to propel the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit to Independents’ glory in what is widely regarded as the world’s premier and most fiercely-disputed tin-top series.
 
Speedworks enjoyed its most successful BTCC campaign to-date in 2016, as three-time Ginetta Champion and former British Karting Champion Tom Ingram stunned with both his and the team’s maiden pole position and race victory in the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser. He added to that with a second triumph at Silverstone and was a consistent podium threat at every circuit on the calendar.
 
Not only that, but the talented young Bucks ace proved to be the fastest average qualifier in the field – no mean feat in a series uniting some of the very best touring car protagonists on the planet. His results earned him fourth place amongst the 24 high-calibre contenders in the final Independents’ Trophy standings, with Speedworks snaring a best-yet third spot in the Independent Teams’ Trophy classification.
 
With even loftier ambitions in its sights for 2017, the plucky giant-killing squad has substantially updated its #80 entry, with a primary focus on aerodynamics, cooling and damping, revised bodywork from bumper to boot lid and a distinctive new front grille in a concerted bid to enhance efficiency.
 
It will be the only facelifted Avensis on the 32-strong grid, and Team Principal Christian Dick can scarcely contain his anticipation as Speedworks revs up towards its seventh season in the immensely popular, ITV4 live-televised, all-action BTCC.
 
“This is the biggest single overhaul the Avensis has ever had, and we are confident that we have taken significant strides in every respect,” he affirmed. “We decided towards the end of 2016 which direction we wanted to pursue and that gave us a head start on a lot of the groundwork. The boys have put in an immense effort over the winter, and what they have produced is a real testament to the strength-in-depth and design expertise inside this team. The car looks quite different from every angle, and we’re all extremely excited to see how it performs when it hits the track.
 
“The Avensis still has plenty of untapped potential, and our objective was to keep it fresh by bringing it right up-to-date. We carefully evaluated every aspect and identified quite a few areas in which we could make gains. The BTCC is so tight and intensely competitive that you have to carry on continuously developing because if you stand still, you will go backwards very quickly.
 
“2016 was by far our best season to-date in the championship, but we are certainly not going to rest on our laurels and we are all eager to take another step forward in 2017. By the time we get to Brands Hatch for the first round, we intend to be every bit as strong if not stronger than we were 12 months ago. As a team, it is imperative that we are absolutely on top of our game throughout. We have to be gunning for the Independents’ crown this year – and if we can do that, there is no reason why we can’t also be in with a shot at the overall title going into the final weekend...”
 
Ingram will put the redesigned Avensis through its paces for the first time at Portimão in southern Portugal this week as Speedworks aims to make the most of some milder weather. The 23-year-old KX Akademy graduate and MSA Academy member echoes Dick’s palpable enthusiasm about the team’s prospects for the forthcoming campaign.
 
“I’ve spent a lot of time up at the Speedworks factory over the winter, closely following the changes to the Avensis, and I cannot tell you how much of a buzz there is about the package we now have underneath us,” he revealed. “On paper, we have improved the car pretty much across the board and if it goes even half as quick as it looks, we will be in good shape. I can’t wait to get out there!”

Image Credits: Matt Sayle Photography

• Returning as a Manufacturer Team after 21 years
• Marking ten years relationship with West Surrey Racing
• Welcoming back 2014 BTCC Champion, Colin Turkington
• Celebrating signing of multiple BTCC Independent Drivers Champion, Andrew Jordan
• Renewing seven year WSR signing with Series favourite, Rob Collard

A further chapter in BMW’s illustrious history in touring car racing unfolds today as BMW UK, in partnership with West Surrey Racing (WSR), announced a three-car team that will again bid for victory in the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The announcement of TEAM BMW was a landmark occasion, marking BMW’s return to the country’s best-watched motor race series as a Manufacturer Team. It’s 21 years since the marque last contested the series in this manner, when BMW Team Schnitzer fielded a trio of BMW 320i cars.

Graeme Grieve, Managing Director of BMW UK, commented: “The BTCC is undeniably the most significant race series in the UK with a huge and enthusiastic following. With a legendary record behind us in the Series’ history books, and partnering continuously with WSR for a decade, we are delighted to step up as a Manufacturer Team again after 21 years. BMW UK’s significant financial investment includes the funding of technical developments on all fronts, focused on the very latest BMW engine derivative.”

At the launch at BMW Park Lane, London, Graeme Grieve joined WSR boss, Dick Bennetts, to remove the wraps from one of the three BMW 125i M Sport team cars that will contest the 2017 BTCC. With the cars freshly-developed, prepared and run again by WSR, BMW’s return to the Series as a Manufacturer coincides with a further landmark, marking a decade since WSR first contested the BTCC with BMW, which has endured to this day.

The BMW relationship with Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury-based operation in the BTCC has been stellar, with the pair enjoying a memorable honeymoon year in 2007, claiming both the Independent Drivers and Teams Championships. Proving it was far from a short-term affair, they repeated the feat in 2008 and, in 2009 and 2014, took Overall BTCC Driver and Team Championships.

Dick Bennetts remarked: “I reckon that working together successfully as motorsport partners for ten years is the equivalent of a lifelong marriage. It’s a tribute to BMW’s product and commitment, and we are delighted to once again represent the marque as they return with increased commitment as a Manufacturer in the BTCC.”

Significantly, the driver roll of honour for each of the three BTCC Independent, Overall and Teams Championship victories fell to Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington.

Turkington has spent nine of his 12 BTCC seasons with the WSR-BMW team, during which he scored 26 wins over five seasons. Now, two years after claiming the outright Drivers Championship at the wheel of a previous-generation BMW 125i M Sport, he returns to the rear-wheel drive TEAM BMW with renewed vigour.

And driver talent runs deep in BMW’s 2017 BTCC campaign. Joining Turkington is Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC Overall Drivers Champion and three times Independent Drivers Champion - who brings with him long- term personal sponsor, Pirtek. And completing the trio is Rob Collard, a BTCC followers’ favourite and the Series’ legendary overtaker who, after his most competitive season to date in 2016, marks the tenth consecutive year he has driven a BMW in the BTCC, the last seven with WSR.

Last year, the trio of WSR-prepared BMW 125i M Sport cars contributed to a nail-biting finale that went down to the wire at the final round. Team driver Sam Tordoff was pipped at the post for the overall drivers' title, just two points shy of victory. Nevertheless, the WSR BMW team claimed a double title success at the conclusion of the series, taking the BTCC Constructors' crown and the Teams’ Championship once again.

Entering the 2017 season of the super-competitive BTCC, TEAM BMW has heavyweight success behind it, increased financial and technical investment from BMW UK, the skills, consistency and superb track record of West Surrey Racing, and a driver trio that collectively represents the most powerful line-up in this year’s BTCC series.

The Series commences at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on April 1^st and 2^nd .

Oulton Park and Snetterton were the venues for the start of Jack Goff's 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship testing programme – his first meaningful foray on track for Eurotech Racing.

Goff sampled the Honda Civic Type R for the first time – after making the switch from West Surrey Racing's BMW 125i M Sport – with two days in Cheshire and Norfolk and tallied more than 750 kilometres of run-time.

"It was great to get back into a BTCC car again," Goff said. "I felt instantly at home switching back to the front-wheel drive layout of the Type R.

"After the two days we completed last week, I am looking forward to really starting to fine tune myself and the car in Spain next week.

"The Eurotech squad have been working flat out over recent months to make sure we start the season in the strongest possible way and they have produced a brilliant car. Its clear to see why the Civic Type R has been so successful over recent campaigns.”

The team headed to Snetterton for the second day of its test last week where Goff was joined by team-mate Jeff Smith.

“It was my first chance to get back into the car since the end of the 2016 season," said Smith. "The day went really well with around 300 kilometres being completed and gave me a good chance to get dialled back into the car.

"Our new signing Jack Goff continues to impress and the team are all really confident of a strong 2017 season.”

Spain is the next destination for the pair as several outfits migrate to warmer climes to rack up the testing miles with development on cars ahead of the season-opener at Brands Hatch in April.

Goff will be announcing a new partner later today and will also be producing a series of behind-the-scenes videos from testing to give fans the inside line on his preparations.

Maximum Motorsport has announced Josh Cook as the driver of its Ford Focus ST for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Team Principal, Stewart Lines, sustained injuries after falling from a mountain bike in January, leaving him immobile with muscle and ligament damage. On review of his situation, Lines seized the opportunity to sign Cook for the coming campaign.

The 25-year-old had become available having recently announced his departure from MG Racing RCIB Insurance and Lines, confident in the Bath racer's ability in the championship, made the decision to vacate his seat, giving the young gun the opportunity to further his BTCC career.

"I’m elated to be back on the grid for 2017 – it all turned around in the space of 24 hours," said Cook. "The support that I received when I announced my departure from MG was incredible. I’m immensely grateful to Stewart for enabling my return this coming season. It’s taken a lot of effort with multiple new sponsors but thank you to everyone involved. I can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season testing.

“I think we’ve got a great package with Maximum Motorsport, the Focus has been upgraded over the off-season and with Team Parker Racing looking after the operation of the car throughout the year, we should be pushing for strong finishes from the off.”

“After my accident, we started analysing our options forthcoming campaign to allow myself enough time for recovery," added Lines. "When Josh announced he was without a drive, we grasped the opportunity to sign a very capable young talent.

“I’m disappointed that I won’t be lining up on the 2017 grid, as the car has undergone a significant programme of upgrades over the winter period and is now down to a much lighter weight. Despite this, I am delighted we’re running Josh this season and believe we’ve got the complete package to produce some strong finishes."

The team is set for an extensive test schedule, with its new livery to be revealed at the official Season Launch on 16 March, Donington Park.

West Surrey Racing has announced that Rob Collard will remain with the team for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Collard, who played a key role in WSR’s Constructors’ and Teams’ Championship titles last year with two race wins and six podiums, joins Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington in the three-car line-up of BMW 125i M Sports.

The Hampshireman enjoyed his most competitive BTCC campaign to date in 2016 as he led the points table during the second half of the season and finished fifth overall; narrowly missing out on the title at the Brands Hatch season finale.

His total of four fastest laps was a figure unbeaten by any other driver in the series, and with over 140 places made up from his starting positions across the season, he was awarded the Dunlop #ForeverForward Trophy at the end-of-year BTCC Night of Champions.

The 2017 campaign will be his 10th with WSR; Collard taking his maiden BTCC victory and podium during a two-year stint with the Sunbury-on-Thames team in 2005-06 and then returning in 2010.

He will drive the latest version of the WSR-designed-and-built BMW 125i M Sport for the first time during a week-long test in Spain, starting on February 27.

“It’s fantastic to be staying with WSR," said Collard. "They have a pedigree like no other team in the BTCC and the level of professionalism and preparation that has been key to their success is clear to see in everything they do.

"This will be my 10th season with the team and I plan to use that continuity to my advantage. I took my first BTCC win and my first podium with WSR and now my aim is to take my first title with them too. With Colin and Andrew as my team-mates, I think we have the strongest line-up in the championship and I can't wait to start testing the latest development of the BMW later this month."

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said: “We’re very pleased to continue our partnership with Rob, who has raced with WSR for the past seven seasons – including the entire BMW 125i M Sport programme.

"He’s very much part of the family here, is one of the best drivers in the BTCC for pure racing ability and played a pivotal role in WSR’s constructors’ and teams’ title successes in 2016. I don’t see any reason why he can’t be a title contender again.”

Oulton Park was the venue for the start of Handy Motorsport’s 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship testing programme this week, providing Rob Austin’s first mileage of the year in the team’s newly-built Toyota Avensis.

Following a well-received team launch at last month’s Autosport International Show, this week’s running on Tuesday and Wednesday left the Evesham racer suitably impressed with more than 100 laps completed.

The Swindon-based squad, heading into its fourth year in the championship, has been working over recent weeks and months to ensure it is in the strongest possible shape for the coming campaign and the fruits of that labour borne out at Oulton Park.

The car's ahead-of-schedule build and completion ensured development and fine-tuning could begin early – the Toyota's pace and balance at a cold, greasy Oulton Park was a source of encouragement for Austin.

“The two days at Oulton went very well," he said. “The boys have made a beautiful job of building the car, its ahead of schedule and absolutely immaculate as you would expect from the Handy Motorsport team. 

“The weather hindered our track time a little, but we anticipated that by booking two days rather than just one. Out of the box the car was much more hooked up than when we raced here last year and that served as a great example of the progress we made through the second half of 2016."

As well as marking the maiden run-out for Handy’s new car, the test was also the first opportunity for Austin and the squad to experience the new 2017 Dunlop rubber which has been introduced for the coming season. Dunlop’s new SportMaxx tyres are larger, with a 20mm increase in width, with the new construction also expected to deliver increased grip and traction.

“It’s a really nice tyre, full credit to Dunlop for all of their hard work developing it," added Austin. "We completed a good number of laps, worked through our carefully planned programme and we certainly left Oulton with the feeling we have continued on the steep development curve we were on through the second half of the 2016 season.

“It’s got me very excited for the start of the season, the car feels strong and well balanced and I’m feeling very confident about going up against the rest of the field. Brands can’t come soon enough! Before then we have a very comprehensive test schedule organised and a lot of developments to continue working on.”

With just a month to go until the official Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Season Launch at Donington Park, 16 March, the teams are out in force and racking up the testing miles.

This past week has been a busy one. After news broke that he had signed for West Surrey Racing on Tuesday, Colin Turkington surfaced in his new mount – the BMW 125i M Sport – at Brands Hatch for an initial shakedown ahead of a trip to Spain at the end of the month.

Joining him and WSR in pre-season running was Laser Tools Racing. Jack Goff found his feet in the front-wheel drive Honda Civic Type R around a greasy Oulton Park circuit on Tuesday. Team-mate and Team Principal Jeff Smith joined him for a day's work at Snetterton on Wednesday.

Back to Cheshire, and Handy Motorsport's Rob Austin took to the track for an first run of the year in the Toyota Avensis – a car he feels is going places in 2017 after overcoming setup issues midway through 2016, ending the year on a high with a podium at Brands Hatch GP.

Austin ran the 2017 specification TOCA power-plant as well as the new Dunlop tyres, both of which left the Evesham ace suitably impressed.

"The engine and tyres feel awesome and the team are doing a fantastic job," said Austin. "We have a very comprehensive schedule organised and a lot of developments to continue working on – we're back on track at Brands Hatch on Tuesday.” 

Laser Tools Racing has also been hard at work, kickstarting its 2017 efforts at Donington Park this week with Aiden Moffat putting in the hours behind the wheel of a stealth-black interim-liveried Mercedes-Benz A Class – a tease as to its new livery, set to be unveiled come Season Launch.

To come, WSR, Team Dynamics, Eurotech Racing and BTC Norlin Racing are set to head overseas for a group test at Castelloli Circuit in Catalonia, Spain, at the end of the month – 27 February to 3 March. Meanwhile, Motorbase Performance and Speedworks Motorsport will travel to the Algarve and Portimao for some warm-weather running from 27 February to 1 March.

In the immediate future, Motorbase are set to travel to Brands Hatch tomorrow; Laser Tools Racing and Ciceley Motorsport head to Snetterton next Wednesday and Thursday along with (provisionally) Handy Motorsport. Team Dynamics will be at Donington Park on Thursday.

In the week leading up to Season Launch, Handy Motorsport will again visit Brands Hatch, as will Ciceley, Motorbase, Team Dynamics and Eurotech – the latter trio all on 13 March. Ciceley will also head to the Midlands and Donington Park on 9 March with Motorbase at Brands Hatch the same day, having completed some hours this week on the dyno.

Furthermore, there will be two sessions of exclusive BTCC testing at Thruxton during the Support Races' annual pre-event test day.

This will be Thursday, April 20. The sessions are 11.30 to 12.15 and 15.30 to 16.15. It is expected that several teams will test at this point.

All appearances mentioned are subject to change.

West Surrey Racing has announced that two-time Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion Colin Turkington has re-joined the team for 2017.

The 34-year-old from Portadown will race the latest development of the WSR-designed-and-built BMW 125i M Sport, which captured both the Teams’ and Constructors’/Manufacturers' titles last year.

The partnership between Turkington and WSR has been one of the most successful in BTCC history, beginning with the Northern Irishman’s debut campaign in 2002 and running over nine seasons in three separate stints.

The combination has achieved much success in that time with 30 race wins, 86 podium finishes, eight Independents’ crowns and, most significantly, the overall Drivers’ Championship in 2009 and a driver-and-team double title in 2014.

Outside the BTCC, Turkington and WSR, running a BMW 320si, also contested selected rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship from 2007-2012, scoring a podium finish on their series debut and becoming race winners at Okayama, Japan, in 2010.

Turkington is the second driver to be announced by WSR for this season. He joins 2013 BTCC champion Andrew Jordan in a line-up that boasts 57 BTCC race wins, 163 podium finishes and three Drivers’ titles between them.

WSR’s third driver will be announced soon.

“It feels fantastic to re-join WSR for the 2017 season and I couldn’t be more excited about my return," said Turkington.

"From my debut in touring cars in 2002 right through to winning my second BTCC title, it’s been like a second home for me and my greatest achievements in motor racing have all come with them.

"Combining our accumulated rear-wheel-drive expertise and strong work ethic is a recipe for success and I’m confident this gives me the perfect opportunity to fight for honours once again. I’m particularly looking forward to driving the BMW 125i M Sport and feel the developments that have come about since 2014.”

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said: “It’s great have Colin back for 2017. His performances with various WSR BMWs have been extremely strong and he’s been a key part of our most successful seasons in the BTCC in 2009 and 2014.

"There’s definitely a sense of unfinished business as, despite our intentions, commercial reasons meant we weren’t able to stay together to defend our championships. We now head into 2017 with a very strong driver line-up, and we’re aiming for more titles.”

Having contested spells in two previous BTCC campaigns 24-year-old Daniel Lloyd is delighted to have landed a full-time manufacturer drive with MG RCIB Insurance Racing.

The Huddersfield driver made a spectacular addition to the BTCC grid during his three appearances in 2016 - qualifying on the front row at Croft and Oulton Park in the Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R - and the Yorkshireman is now looking forward to getting the wheel of the multiple race-winning MG6.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to have secured a seat with the MG RCIB Insurance Racing team for this season,” said Lloyd. “I loved competing in the BTCC last year and to have the chance to step up and join the MG factory team this season is a fantastic opportunity.

“It feels almost like a home-coming,” added Lloyd. “I made my BTCC debut with Triple Eight back in 2010 and also raced against Aron [Smith] in the Renault UK Clio Cup, so it’s come back full circle. Aron is obviously a very quick driver and has a lot of experience in the BTCC so I’m sure there’s a lot I can pick up from him along the way.”

Having worked his way through the ranks of the TOCA support package, Lloyd has built up a loyal base of sponsors and business partners over the years – helping him to achieve his ambition of securing a factory-backed seat in the one of the leading teams on the BTCC grid.

“The last couple of years have been quite tough, moving around different series and championships, so I’m delighted to have a full season campaign ahead of me. The BTCC is by far the highest profile racing series in the UK and I’ve worked incredibly hard to get back on the grid this year.

“I have to say a big thank you to all of my sponsors who have helped me to get to this point,” continued Lloyd. “There’s still a lot of work going on behind the scenes and we’re working hard on bringing new partners on-board for this season and hopefully beyond.”

With live coverage of each of the championship’s 10 events featured on ITV4, ITV4HD and ITV.com, the BTCC is the perfect platform for companies looking for engaging ways to introduce brands to a wider audience.

“It’s a massive championship, the biggest in the UK by far with live ITV coverage at every round,” explains Lloyd. “The huge crowds of over 40,000 fans it attracts are fantastic and behind the scenes access all come together to make the BTCC something really special to be a part of.”

Team BMR has finalised three of its four drivers ahead of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with Ash Sutton joining Jason Plato and James Cole in the outfit's Subaru Levorg GTs.

Sutton, 23, joins the Manufacturer team from Triple Eight Racing following a strong first campaign in the BTCC – finishing as the best placed rookie and lifting the coveted Jack Sears Trophy as a result. From the outset, the Hertfordshire racer made his mark with an impressive fourth place finish on his debut at Brands Hatch back in April last year and his success continued throughout the season, leading to a maiden win in a wet race three at Croft. 

Then came two further podiums, two pole positions and two fastest laps in the remainder of 2016. At the season finale in October, he sealed the JST, a trophy he led dominantly over the whole campaign.

“I am over the moon to be offered such a great opportunity," said a delighted Sutton. "I joined the Team BMR Academy at the end of 2014, signing a two-year deal to race in the Renault UK Clio Cup, with a view to working our way up through the 2015/16 seasons.

"Not for one second did I think that two years down the line I would be a part of the BMR factory team; let alone with a BTCC Manufacturer like Subaru. I thought I had hit the jackpot in my debut season in securing a Manufacturer drive; but now being a part of Subaru, and the package that comes with that, has certainly topped it for me.

“Last year I accomplished all of the personal goals I had set for myself. I know that 2017 is going to be hard, but I feel I have all the correct tools to move those goal posts and set myself some bigger challenges. Going into the final round in with a shot for the championship is the biggest aim - but this is the pinnacle of British motorsport, it's the British Touring Car Championship, so I know it’s not going to come easy!"

On the prospects of returning to rear-wheel drive and working with Jason Plato, he added: “I have been asked what my thoughts are on jumping into a rear wheel drive car and to be completely honest I am I’m going back to my roots. I have only had two years in front-wheel drive throughout my whole racing career, so I can’t wait to be back where I belong. I’m looking forward to the intense testing programme we have planned.

“Working alongside Jason, someone I have always looked up to, is something of an added bonus for me. There are three things that have made this Academy journey come alive, those being; my family, all my loyal sponsors, and Warren Scott himself for giving me this opportunity. All I can say now is, roll on Brands Hatch!”

For Plato, 2017 will be his third consecutive year with the team and another BTCC milestone will be coming his way – this year, he will be celebrating 20 years since joining the championship in 1997. 

Jason remains the most successful driver in the history of the championship to date, taking several podiums in 2016 with the all-new Subaru Levorg GT – including a maiden Subaru pole position to mark the start of his 500^th BTCC race which he won with an impressive lights to flag victory, the 95^th of his career.

“I predict 2017 will bring much success, I’m energised and looking forward to fighting for the championship," said Plato. "Our team goes from strength to strength. We have a fantastic new addition to the squad in young Ash Sutton, I’m certainly expecting him to be right in the thick of the action. Testing begins in two weeks and I can’t wait.”

James Cole joined BMR in 2016 after switching from Motorbase Performance and will remain for a second year in what will be his fifth season in the BTCC. The team appreciated his wealth of knowledge, doubly valuable last year in developing the debuting Levorg. Cole has already completed a two day test at Donington Park this off-season.

Cole said: "Winter testing was a revelation. I worked with Jason's engineer, Carl Faux, and wow, it felt like I was in a racing car again. It just felt right - the balance, my confidence. I can't wait to get back in the car and build on what I learned in testing. I need to deliver for the team and myself. Jason and Ash are quality team mates and I relish the challenge to work and compete with them and help Team BMR to win championships in 2017."

An announcement with regards to the outfit's fourth driver will be made in the coming weeks.