Former Clio Cup champion Martin Byford has been confirmed as driver for AmD Milltek Racing.com for the remainder of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
The announcement follows the departure of Tom Onslow-Cole from the team in early June and team principal Shaun Hollamby's one-off return to the driving seat for the three races at Croft a fortnight later.
“When I spoke to Martin I could see how keen he was to make this happen as he saw it as possibly his last chance to make it into the BTCC,” said Hollamby. “He has all the enthusiasm we were looking for and has grabbed the chance with both hands. He's won in everything he has done in the past and I'm sure he will do a good job for us when the season resumes at Snetterton.”
Colchester based Byford, now 39, has competed in a variety of series in the past, winning the Clio Cup in 2007, before moving into the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2008. More recently he had been part of the Bullrun team in the British Endurance Championship.
“I was in the right place at the right time when AmD Milltek Racing.com were looking for a new driver and having spoken to Shaun, I'm thrilled we've been able to do a deal,” he said. “This is a golden opportunity for me and hopefully I will be able to surprise a few people and remind them who Martin Byford is!”
“I can't wait to get in the car and I accept that there is a lot to learn, but my aim is to be a regular contender for top ten finishes. The Volkswagen is a car that is more than capable of finishing inside the points so I want to set my stall out and be a consistent top ten finisher by the end of the year.”
The deal will also mean Byford's personal sponsors Eurocell will join AmD's backers including Tesco 99 Momentum, Milltek Sport and YourRacingCar.com.
Ahead to the BTCC's return to racing at Snetterton, Byford will get his first run in the turbocharged VW Golf in a test session at Brands Hatch next week.
