Former Renault Clio Cup champion Martin Byford will join the AmD Milltek Racing.com team from Snetterton onwards, it has been confirmed by the team today. The 2007 Clio Cup champion will take over at the wheel from Team Principal Shaun Hollamby, who had stepped in for Croft following the departure of Tom Onslow-Cole.
“I was in the right place at the right time when AmD Milltek Racing.com were looking for a new driver and having spoken to Shaun, I’m thrilled we’ve been able to do a deal,” said Byford, 39. “This is a golden opportunity for me and hopefully I will be able to surprise a few people and remind them who Martin Byford is!
“I can’t wait to get in the car and I accept that there is a lot to learn, but my aim is to be a regular contender for top ten finishes. The Volkswagen is a car that is more than capable of finishing inside the points so I want to set my stall out and be a consistent top ten finisher by the end of the year.”
The Thurrock-based team had been looking for a permanent driver ever since Onslow-Cole left to move to Team Aon after Oulton Park. Hollamby admitted prior to the Croft meeting that the team had narrowed their search down to six drivers, with Byford having emerged as the driver of choice.
“When I spoke to Martin I could see how keen he was to make this happen as he saw it as possibly his last chance to make it into the BTCC,” said Hollamby of the decision. “He has all the enthusiasm we were looking for and has grabbed the chance with both hands. He’s won in everything he has done in the past and I’m sure he will do a good job for us when the season resumes at Snetterton.
“Martin is someone who should have been in the BTCC before now and I think he will surprise a few people on track. I’m pleased that we have been able to give him his chance and it’s down to the support of AmD, Milltek Sport, Tesco Momentum 99 and Martin’s own backer Eurocell that we’ve been able to agree this deal.”