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888 Racing announce their drivers for the forthcoming season

By MJP Media | 8 March 2016

Triple Eight Racing announces Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton to compete in the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with their works supported MG6s.

Josh Cook (far left) enjoyed podium success is the 2015 BTCC season

MG Motor UK Ltd recently confirmed a new three year contract extension with Triple Eight Racing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and shared their plans for a young and up-and-coming driver line-up with an intention to grow a champion over the duration of the contract.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, commented: "MG Motor UK Ltd is proud to continue its association with Triple Eight Racing and BTCC touring cars for another three years. We are delighted that the team has once again been able to secure two young, ambitious, up-and-coming talented drivers for the 2016 season. We are proud to support the team as they develop fresh home grown talent and look forward to a successful season and many more to come."

Josh Cook with his 2015 Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze

Josh Cook, 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup Vice-Champion, made his debut in the BTCC in 2015 with Power Maxed Racing and quickly established himself as a star of the future. The rookie caught the attention of many within the Rockingham paddock after he achieved a pole position, podium finish and fastest lap. Josh also clinched victory in the 2015 Jack Sears Trophy.

Josh commented: "I'm over the moon to be working with a team and manufacturer that has such heritage. I'm coming straight off the back of a strong first season in the BTCC. I want to keep that momentum going and be competing for the top step from the first round. I have worked extremely hard since the end of last season to get back to the grid - it was the only place I wanted to be. So I now have an important job to do to give back to the sponsors who have got me here. I'm 100% focused and will be prepared in every aspect, starting with my mental approach and fitness."

Ashley Sutton is already familiar with motor sport silverware

Following in Josh's footsteps and graduating into the BTCC is current 2015 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion Ashley Sutton. Ashley first appeared on the BTCC support package in 2014, having raced for part of the season in the Formula Ford series. 2015 was an outstanding year for Ashley, racing in the Renault UK Clio Cup for Team BMR & Pyro Motorsport. Ashley took the title in a dramatic final round as well as securing his place as top rookie in the series and being presented with the Graduate Cup.

Ashley commented: "I am overwhelmed to have been given this opportunity as a manufacturer driver for MG with Triple Eight Racing in my first year of the BTCC. When we first joined the TOCA package back in 2014 I would have bitten someone's hand off if they said I would be racing in the British Touring Cars in just two years' time. It has been a dream to compete in the BTCC for a full season from a very young age. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of my MG6, the car has proven what it is capable of over the years and this is going to be a big learning curve for me. I have my work cut out for the year, but I feel I couldn't be more ready for this challenge and I will grab it with both hands and give it my all. I can't wait to get started and to get stuck in with the team, roll on round one!"

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