JCT600 and GardX will become the main sponsors of defending Teams’ Champions West Surrey Racing for the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
The new partnership will be seen on the pair of all-conquering BMW 125i M-Sport machines for 2015, driven by the experienced Rob Collard and new team-mate Sam Tordoff under the Team JCT600 with GardX banner.
Dick Bennetts’ Independent team clinched their second Drivers’ Championship with Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington in 2014, plus the overall Team’s Championship as well as the Independents’ title for both Turkington and the team. Budget dramas in the winter period resulted in Turkington finding solitude at Team BMR, former BTCC race winner Tordoff joining WSR from MG.
Both JCT600 and GardX have a long association with motorsport, founded by Jack Tordoff, his Grandson Sam now embarking on an exciting new venture having netted two BTCC wins in two seasons with Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Sam Tordoff commented: “I am absolutely delighted to have joined WSR and to be continuing my long-term partnership with JCT600 and GardX.
“We have already had many great times together – including a number of victories – but this is by far our biggest and most exciting challenge yet. We have proved we can achieve great things and my career would simply not be possible without their support. Now I am racing for the best team to compliment my already outstanding partners and I can’t wait to get the season underway.”
Collard appears in strong shape ahead of the 2015 season after a fine campaign over the previous 12 months, the Hampshire ace preparing for a sixth successive season with WSR hoping to add significantly to his eight career victories so far in BTCC.
“Well the cars look absolutely stunning and it’s great to welcome JCT600 and GardX to the WSR family,” he said. “We have proved the WSR-run BMWs are the leading lights in the BTCC and we’re keen to show we can stay out front and contend for yet more championships in 2015.”
Credit: Pictures all courtesy of West Surrey Racing.
WSR Team Principal, Bennetts, concluded: “We have enjoyed a number of successful seasons in the BTCC, none more so than in 2014, and we’re looking to build on that success with both JCT600 and GardX.
“The two brands, along with BMW and WSR, are industry leaders in their respective fields and we believe it’s a perfect match for 2015 and beyond.”
The cars will be officially unveiled to the public at the BTCC Season Launch on Tuesday 24 March at Donington Park. The striking pair of German machines will sport the familiar white and blue of BMW during the coming BTCC season, joined by former multiple World Touring Car Championship title winner, Andy Priaulx.
Priaulx -who will be backed by IHG – told The Checkered Flag: “I’m in a very good team. For me it’s not going to be about how good the car is or how good the team is, it’s the full package and you always need to keep an eye out for those around you. But yes, there is a strong opportunity here.
“Realistic goals are that I really want to win. That’s my goal. I’ve won the European championship, I’ve won the World championship, now I want to win the British championship. I’m with the best team to do that.”
