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Two drivers announce their return to the BTCC for 2015

By MJP Media | 4 December 2014

Jeff Smith and Andy Wilmot have announced their return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship - Smith with Eurotech Racing and Wilmot with Welch Motorsport.

Jeff Smith in his 2013 Eurotech-run Pirtek Racing Honda Civic

Jeff Smith will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2015 after becoming a shareholder in the multiple title-winning Eurotech team. He enjoyed a successful 2013 BTCC season with the team where he scored a podium and a number of top six finishes before business commitments curtailed his campaign. The 48-year-old contested selected British GT events this year and will now return to the BTCC after becoming a part-owner of the team founded by Mike Jordan.

"This is the pinnacle of UK saloon car racing and there is no better place than the BTCC to race," said Smith. "The chance to re-join the ever-competitive grid was an opportunity not to be missed for me and my key sponsor ICD. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and being part of the BTCC package again. With some updates on the cars we should be as competitive as we were in 2013."

Mike Jordan added: "Jeff has always put his full effort into the sport and is a very capable driver, so for us to put this deal together gives him an excellent platform for his racing, along with an ongoing business opportunity for the future". The plans for Eurotech's final line-up for the 2015 season have not been confirmed yet. The team have not ruled out running a third car if the opportunity should arise.

Andy Wilmot will join Welch Motorsport for the 2015 BTCC season

Also confirming he is to return to Britain's premier motorsport series is Andy Wilmot who will replace Ollie Jackson in the second Welch Motorsport Proton. Wilmot last contested the series for a brief spell at Rockingham back in 2013 when he drove for what was then Tony Gilham's Team HARD.

Wilmot said: "It's a dream come true for me - the reality has not really sunk in yet! I certainly have a lot to learn, but over the winter months with the test schedule planned and in a car that is very well sorted handling-wise, I think Dan and John [Welch] will get the best out of me. The team has a lot of experience in the BTCC and having watched the guys over the past year, everything is coming together nicely to drive the #12 car. I still have a part of the budget to find but the support I am getting from my sponsors is outstanding. Exciting times lie ahead and I just can't wait to get going!"

Andy Wilmot last competed in the BTCC at Rockingham in 2013

Team Principal, John Welch said: "I'm delighted that Andy has shown faith in us, we certainly did not have the best year with developing our own engines - Ollie and Dan were so patient with us and it was rather humbling. For next season the organisers are evaluating the engine parity regulations and this certainly will make a big difference."

Win tickets to the Autosport International Show 2015!
We have five pairs of admission tickets to the Autosport International Show 2015 (including access to the Live Action Arena) to give away. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets and for full entry details click here and answer a simple BTCC-based question. Competition ends at 12:00 on December 17th.

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