SCOTLAND’S Rory Butcher has told of his delight at joining the manufacturer-backed Toyota Gazoo Racing UK for the 2021 British Touring Car Championship.
The Knockhill-based driver said: “The Corolla race car and the TGR UK team are an impressive package and I’m eager to get started.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all my backers for their continued support during such uncertain times and I look forward to embarking on this exciting new challenge with them.”
Butcher will make his 100th BTCC start in the first race of the campaign at Thruxton on May 9. The 33-year-old, from Kirkcaldy, has to-date achieved six victories, 14 podium finishes, three pole positions and five fastest laps – and has been a title protagonist in two of his three full seasons in the UK’s premier motor racing series.
The 2019 BTCC Independents’ Champion and Jack Sears Trophy winner has finished inside the top five in the overall standings in each of the past two years, and entered the current off-season on a high by winning the final race of 2020.
And the tie-up could be a winning combination as the Corolla was the highest-scoring car during the closing stages of last season, with five podiums in the final six races.
Team principal Christian Dick said: “Rory’s calibre is clear to see – he drives with all the confidence and panache of somebody that has been involved in the BTCC for much longer.”
Meanwhile, this weekend sees Glasgow’s Ryan Dalziel competing in his 16th Rolex 24 at Daytona, Florida, on board the Era Motorsport Oreca LMP2 car.
The endurance racer said: “I still giggle every time I get on to the banking like it was my first time. I’m fortunate to be able to do this and excited about the season ahead.”
