Multiple Renault Clio Cup UK champion Paul Rivett will make his British Touring Car Championship debut in the final two rounds of the 2020 season at Snetterton and Brands Hatch after joining up with Trade Price Cars Racing to replace James Gornall.
Due to prior commitments, Rivett wasn’t involved at Croft this past weekend which meant that only Bobby Thompson was involved who was in superb form in the Audi S3 before a nasty crash ended his weekend in Race Three.
He will be involved though at the next two meetings coming in as a four time champion in the Clio Cup which has brought through some of the top names on the BTCC grid.
Speaking about the announcement, Rivett said that at the age of 42, he thought of it as now or never to try and get involved in the championship.
“It’s no secret that I have always wanted to race in the BTCC and at the age of 42, I know I’m not getting any younger,” he said. “My mother sadly passed away earlier this year and it really made me realise that I can’t let time pass by, and that I had to try and make it happen.
“I visited Silverstone to speak to a few people and see what opportunities there might be for next season, and suddenly the opportunity has come along for me to take part in the final two rounds of this season. That’s something I’m hugely excited about, and that I certainly wasn’t expecting.
“I’ve obviously watched the BTCC through the years whilst racing on the support package and have competed against a lot of the drivers on the grid during my time in the Clio Cup, and even before that when I was racing in Fiestas and had my novice cross alongside guys called Colin Turkington and Gordon Shedden, who have gone on to do quite well!
“My goal is to use these two rounds to show what I can do. I’ve always adapted quite well to new cars and the aim will be to get quicker every time I go out on track and look to keep progressing forwards. Snetterton will all be geared towards preparing for Brands Hatch as that’s my home circuit, and I’d love to be able to go out there in the final rounds and challenge for some good results.
Outgoing James Gornall took to social media to explain his reasoning for not being involved for the rest of the season as the budget and the COVID-19 pandemic and that his aim is to be back next year.
“Unfortunately, I will not be competing in the remaining BTCC races this year. The Pandemic and resulting restrictions have hit our budget hard and we need to step away, regroup, and come back for 2021 stronger,” he said.
“We will be working hard with my partners over the winter and looking to build new relationships that can benefit from the awesome platform that is the BTCC. Don’t count me out just yet, I’ll be back!”
