James Nash has switched to the bamboo engineering team for next year’s World Touring Car Championship.
The 26-year-old makes the move after racing for Team Aon in 2012 in his maiden campaign on the world stage, having won the British Touring Car Championship independents’ title in 2011. Driving one of the team’s Ford Focus machines, the Milton Keynes racer claimed a best finish of sixth in Marrakech after starting on the reverse grid pole position.
Nash will race a latest specification Chevrolet Cruze for bamboo, and with Chevrolet having ended their participation as a factory team, both he and the team are confident of doing well.
“I’m delighted to have signed with Bamboo,” said Nash. “The Chevrolet is such a strong platform and will give me a chance to show my true potential. Richard runs a tight ship and we both share the ambition to challenge for the drivers’ championship in 2013.
“Racing in the WTCC this year has been immense; it’s a fantastic championship and allows me to compete with the best in the world and race on a global stage. I’ve definitely been bitten by the WTCC bug; the racers, the tracks, the countries are all top notch, but now I need to make my mark on the global stage.
“It was important for me to sign early for 2013, I’m up to speed with the tracks and have some good experience in the WTCC, now is my chance to get my head down, bag some points and focus on my driving.”
Team Principal Richard Coleman added: “We’re delighted to have signed James, I’ve been talking to James for many years now and to have finally put pen to paper is great for Bamboo, but also for James.
“We have a fantastic platform and we’ve been knocking on the door for a few years now, but with Nash onboard, and his newly gained WTCC experience, he’ll be a challenger this year, 2013 is going to be great.
“Not only have we got James in the bag, but we’ve also got a few other developments up our sleeves so watch this space between now and March!” Coleman added.
