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Subaru enter the BTCC with Team BMR!

By MJP Media | 12 January 2016

Renowned motor sport manufacturer Subaru will enter the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after striking a sensational three-year deal with Team BMR.

Team BMR were regular visitors to the BTCC podium in 2015

The Team BMR squad will run the all-new Subaru Levorg Sports Tourer in this year's championship, with both Jason Plato and Colin Turkington spearheading the Japanese marque's title assault. "We're very excited to have teamed up with BMR from the 2016 championship - the first time a Subaru has competed in BTCC." said Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director for Subaru UK & Ireland. "Although the Levorg features the Subaru famed all-wheel drive system, the car can be easily developed to compete with rear-wheel drive in order to comply with the BTCC regulations, so we can't wait to see how it goes against very established competition."

Subaru's maiden foray into Britain's premier motor racing series will see Team BMR contest for Manufacturers' Championship honours for the first time in its short career, something that Team Principal Warren Scott is hugely honoured by. In Plato and Turkington the outfit already boasts drivers with well over 100 victories and four drivers' titles between them, suggesting the new Levorg Sports Tourer will be in extremely safe hands during its maiden BTCC campaign.

An artist's impression of the 2016 Team BMR Subaru Levorg Sports Tourer

"I am extremely delighted that Team BMR are to become a Manufacturer team in only our fourth year of competing in the BTCC." said Warren. "I have had aspirations of becoming a race-winning team with factory support from the very beginning and I am immensely proud of the team for giving Subaru the confidence to partner with BMR."

Jason Plato said: "Part of my role when joining BMR was to help secure a manufacturer deal. The iconic Subaru brand has always been right at the top of my wish list. Obviously it goes without saying that I am very excited about our future together and I'm confident that BMR will produce a fantastic package for me to fight for the Championship. This really is exciting times for us all. I can't wait for the season to begin."

Team BMR with their 2015 Volkswagen CCs

Colin Turkington, who won his two titles in rear-wheel-drive machinery, was equally excited by the tie-up between Subaru and Team BMR. "Continuing with Team BMR for the 2016 season was an easy decision for me and represents a great opportunity to build on our strong maiden campaign." he said. "I can't wait to get started with the development of the new Subaru Levorg BTCC race car and I'm more motivated than ever to win. This announcement is huge news for the championship and equally for me."

Subaru's BTCC debut will take place at Brands Hatch in early April with the opening rounds of the 2016 championship, which Series Director Alan Gow believes will mark the start of a prosperous partnership. "We are delighted to welcome another manufacturer to the BTCC and particularly one with such an incredible motor sport heritage." commented Gow. "Subaru is an iconic brand with a huge following and its introduction to the BTCC is certain to excite our many fans both in the UK and around the world. No doubt Team BMR with its hugely experienced and talented driver line-up will make for a very successful partnership."

Touring Car content supplied by MJP Media