Reigning Jack Sears Trophy Champion Lea Wood will switch to NGTC machinery for the first time in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2014, entering a Toyota Avensis with the newly-formed Houseman Racing team.
Wood strolled to the Jack Sears Trophy crown last season driving a Vauxhall Vectra for his family-run team in the class dedicated to S2000 BTCC cars, taking 18 victories from 30 races having previously finished a personal best of fifth during the 2012 Oulton Park meeting.
Following on from his success, Wood will now graduate to NGTC machinery for his 2014 BTCC campaign, racing a Toyota Avensis under the Houseman Racing banner.
Wood’s family squad, JWT Performance, will run the car with both Rob Houseman and Lea’s brother Greg sharing Team Principal duties of the car.
Lea commented: “We’ve worked so hard to make this happen over the winter and I’m delighted to be able to confirm our involvement in the BTCC. Without the Jack Sears Trophy last year and the increased exposure we gained from that then this would not have been possible, but more importantly it simply wouldn’t have happened without the continued support from Houseman.
“Our existing family run team, JWT Performance, has joined hands with Rob Houseman, the CEO of The Houseman Group, which is fantastic. There’s going to be a learning curve for sure, as the NGTC car will be new to us, but we’ll be trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible. It won’t be easy of course as the championship is looking extremely competitive – we’ll be targeting points in the first instance and then really looking to build on some solid results.
“It’s just a dream to be involved in the BTCC at a time when the championship is going from strength-to-strength and we’re all really looking forward to the challenge.”
Wood’s newly-built Avnesis is expected to make its public debut at the BTCC 2014 Season Launch, held at Donington Park circuit on 18 March.