The newly-formed MG KX Momentum Racing Team, operated by British Touring Car Championship stalwarts Triple Eight Engineering, are ready to make their BTCC début this weekend.
Leading the challenge for MG is former double champion Jason Plato, who rejoins the Triple Eight squad with whom he took his first BTCC title back in 2011. Plato is joined at the team by Andy Neate, who will be racing for his third team in three years in his third full season in the series.
“I’m incredibly excited about this weekend, the first in the new 2012 season,” said Plato, who took eight wins last season. “The car looks absolutely amazing and Triple Eight deserve a lot of credit for pulling all the stops out. This weekend is all about getting to grips with this NGTC car and realising its potential and the Indy Circuit is one I’ve had great success at so I genuinely can’t wait.”
This weekend will be the first time an MG has been seen on a BTCC grid since 2008, and the first time a works-backed MG has been seen since 2003. With the announcement of MG’s return to the series only made 64 days ago, the crack Triple Eight outfit have faced a tough task to have the cars ready in time for this weekend.
“The whole team has worked extremely hard to be ready for this opening race weekend,” said Triple Eight Team Principal Ian Harrison. “It has been tough for the crew, but they have risen brilliantly to the challenge as they always have done. It will be a proud moment for everyone at Triple Eight when the cars role out of the garage for First Practice on Saturday. However, this is the first step and inside the Triple Eight team we are realistic about what is possible, although we have clear objectives for these first few race weekends.”
Joining Plato at MG KX Momentum Racing is Andy Neate, who raced last season for Team Aon. Neate’s best result last season was a sixth place at Oulton Park and he is keen to get out on track in the all-new car.
“It will be fantastic to get to Brands Hatch and get the season underway,” said Neate. “I’m so excited and really can’t wait to see what the MG6 is capable of. It’s been great seeing the car come together over the last few weeks and all credit to Triple Eight for getting us ready against such tight timelines.”