Butcher confirms 2018 BTCC campaignposted in BTCC21 | 03 | 2018
FIFER RORY BUTCHER will contest the full 2018 British Touring Car Championship after sealing a deal to drive an MG6 GT. The 31-year-old Scot will partner Tom Boardman in the AmDtuning.com team. The championship makes its annual pilgrimage to Knockhill on August 25/26.
For Butcher it’s a full-time return to the UK’s biggest saloon car championship. Last year the Kirkcaldy racer scored a couple of top 10 BTCC finishes at Knockhill when he was called up at short notice by the Motorbase team for the final four rounds of the season. (Related: Butcher 'delighted' with BTCC debut)
Butcher, who previously secured multiple race wins in the BTCC-supporting Porsche Carrera Cup GB and finished second in the GT class of the European Le Mans Series, has already tested his new MG6 (pictured below).
“I drove Tom’s MG for the first time during a test at Snetterton,” Butcher explained, “and I’m looking forward to more pre-season running before the opening rounds of the season at Brands Hatch on April 7/8.
“My move into the BTCC last season was all a bit last minute and I was thrown in at the deep end for my debut on home soil at Knockhill. I was determined to try and get a place on the grid this year to build on what I learned from the final four rounds of 2017, and to start building a long-term BTCC career.
“In January, it looked like it wasn’t going to be possible, but then I spoke to team boss Shaun Hollamby about the MG, and with a lot of effort from the team and the support from my sponsors — who were eager to join me in the BTCC — we’ve been able to pull together a deal, which I’m absolutely delighted about.
“The BTCC is such a strong series, particularly this season, that it’s hard to make too many predictions about what we can expect to achieve. But the team has shown what it can do in recent seasons and my goal is to regularly fight inside the points and push for some strong results as the season goes on.
“Twelve months ago, I didn’t imagine I would be racing in the BTCC, but there is no better place for me to be in terms of profile. The series is the very pinnacle of British motorsport and I’m really excited about the prospect of a full season on track with AmD in 2018.”
And Butcher, who will be eligible to compete for the Jack Sears Trophy, which is now open to those drivers without a podium finish in the series, this season, was welcomed by Hollamby.
“Rory is a driver who we have been talking to for some time,” the team boss said, “and we are delighted to have concluded a deal for 2018. His career record speaks for itself, and the way he performed last year when he joined the grid in difficult circumstances was hugely impressive.
“We want to challenge towards the front of the field this season, and I fully expect Rory to be in the mix towards the top of the Jack Sears Trophy standings.”
With an interim colour scheme being used for testing, the AmDtuning.com with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing MG6 GT that Butcher will race this season will be revealed in its racing colours for the first time at the BTCC's annual season launch on March 27 at Donington Park.
The Scot will be supported by; 21 Hospitality, Agrii, Celtic Speed, Cardowan Creameries, Green Recycling, Had-Fab Ltd, Harley Hepburn Accountants, J Gilmour & Son, John Young Signs, Knockhill Racing Circuit, McDonald Engineers UK, Production Glassfibre, Smart Storage Solutions and William Waugh Ltd.
Related: BTCC triple champ Shedden switches to WTCR with Audi
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars
Jim McGill