Power Maxed Racing have announced that Jade Edwards will contest rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.
Edwards as a result will become the first female driver to race in the BTCC since 2007 and continues the team’s single car programme which will see a number of different drivers race across the remainder of the season. Mike Bushell will take an engineering role for the remainder of the campaign after driving at Oulton Park and Knockhill.
The former Clio Cup racer is no stranger to the BTCC paddock finishing 7th in the aforementioned series last year; as well as being a winner previously in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge.
She will now follow in the footsteps of her father Jim Edwards Jr, a former BTCC race winner and will look to launch her BTCC career with a good showing at the Northamptonshire circuit.
Power Maxed Racing Team Principal Adam Weaver is looking forward to giving Edwards her first opportunity in the BTCC.“Having known Jade for quite a few years now, I’ve always been impressed with the way she throws herself into everything she does with such gusto,” he said.
“Whilst she’s had a lot of bad luck on the track, she’s a great driver, and has a well-earned reputation as a fan favourite.
“She’s spoken publicly about her longing to get onto the BTCC grid in a competitive car, and with the unique opportunities this year has given us, it was a no brainer for all of us to get her in the car for a round. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do.”
Edwards went on to say that it is a dream come true to make her debut in the BTCC after being in the paddock for most of her life and especially in a car and team with such a good track record.
“Racing in the BTCC is a childhood dream of mine, and is something that I’ve made no secret of working towards,” she said. “I’ve been in the paddock since I was ten old, either supporting my dad or competing myself and to now be racing in the main event is something I’ll never forget!
“PMR have a brilliant track record, and Adam has always shown support in my career, even sponsoring my Clio campaign in 2018, so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to work with them. The Astra has already proven its speed this season, so I’m itching to get out in it and see what I can do.”
