The Tom Walkinshaw Racing name has been revived in a last-minute entry into the all-new Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy in partnership with ABB FIA Formula E outfit DS Techeetah. TWR will make a single-car entry into the all-electric production car series which will be driven by 2018 Porsche GT3 Cup Canada racer Stefan Rzadzinski.
The Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy entry will be practically run by Techeetah, but includes an arrangement with Ryan Walkinshaw, son of the founder Tom, as TWR returns to international motorsport.
This announcement now means that the grid for the inaugural Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy round in Ad Diriyah will expand to Twelve drivers and seven permanent teams plus the VIP car, including two regular female drivers (Katherine Legge and Celia Martin) as well as the VIP guest for the weekend being British female racer Alice Powell.
The deal was put together quite late, but there is still huge excitement and anticipation ahead of the first round in Riyadh, with the Canadian racer first coming across electric motorsport when he met with Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler team principal, Allan McNish at the 2017 Hong Kong ePrix.
“Everything happened quite late but I am really looking forward to racing in the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY and with the TWR and Techeetah names,” Rzadzinski told e-racing365.
“To be part of the future of racing and of the first ever Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY event is so exciting. There is a lot to take in and learn but I think we can be competitive from the word go.”
Techeetah Chief Commercial Officer, Keith Smout was excited at the announcement, with Techeetah entering a Jaguar championship shows how innovative this support series is.
Smout told Motorsport Week that: “It will be the first time I’m in the I-PACE later this week so I’m sure there will be some things to learn. I’m very motivated to have a great season with a fantastic team behind us, so let’s go racing.”
“We’re really excited to enter the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY championship. Our brand has gone from strength to strength this year and this is another great step forward for Techeetah.
“The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY represents an opportunity to expand our brand and give our team partners more marketing exposure and business to business opportunities and it’s also hugely exciting to bring back the iconic TWR name to racing. Ryan’s father was a motorsport legend and we’re very proud to welcome back the TWR brand together with Ryan.”
