Sam Tordoff has been named as the driver joining Jason Plato at the MG KX Momentum Racing team for the 2013 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Tordoff, 23, has been a familiar name in the championships the support the BTCC on the TOCA package, racing in the Renault Clio Cup before graduation to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB for the 2011 season, where he remained for the most recent campaign. He also made a one-off BTCC appearance in a Triple Eight run Vauxhall Vectra at the 2010 season finale at Brands Hatch. In 2012 he was also recognised as one of the British Racing Drivers’ Club’s ‘Rising Star’ as well as being accepted into the KX Akademy program.
Replacing Andy Neate, who has already announced a BTCC entry with his own team for 2013, Tordoff will join double champion Jason Plato, also the KX Akademy mentor at the Triple Eight Race Engineering run team.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Jason, Ian [Harrison, team principal] and the rest of the team and I’m determined to do well – even if it means beating Jason!” said Tordoff.
“Sam’s a great young talent and brings a lot to our team,” adds Plato, who finished third in the 2012 championship, picking up six wins in the MG6’s first year. “He’s a fast learner and it will be great to see him alongside me on the podium – but I’m planning to be on the top step.”
“We’ve got a great team for the 2013 season in Jason and Sam,” said Harrison. “Jason’s obviously got the experience, including a fabulous year with the MG6 GT last year, and Sam’s out to prove himself now he’s won a seat in a top team. It’s going to be a great year of racing.”
The 2013 season opens on Easter Weekend on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.