Speedworks Motorsport has unveiled 28 year-old Ollie Jackson as its second driver for the 2013 British Touring Car Championship season, with the Norfolk racer partnering Dave Newsham at the team.
Jackson made his BTCC debut in 2011 for Triple Eight and raced for AmD Tuning.com in 2012, finishing 18th overall and 13th in the Independents class. Having raced S2000 machinery for the past two seasons, Jackson will step up to full NGTC machinery in 2013 at the wheel of Speedworks’ second Toyota Avensis.
The deal was a last minute announcement, however, with Jackson himself admitting it only came about yesterday (Wednesday) morning in a service station on the M1.
“It was literally done yesterday morning in a service station on the M1 so it’s very last minute,” explained Jackson. “I had completely resigned myself to a year off and was going to do some Caterham club racing, because we were struggling to raise the budget for the BTCC. But then the Speedworks offer came along at the last minute and here we are… It’s funny how things work out.
“I have never so much as sat in an NGTC car before today, so it’s going to be a bit of a steep learning curve. I’m delighted to be in the Toyota with Speedworks – the guys have a great reputation – and it’s great not only to be back in the BTCC and in a front-running NGTC car, but also to be with such a great team.
“It’s going to be helpful to be racing alongside Dave Newsham. My experience of front-wheel drive is limited and it will be good to be able to compare myself with someone who knows what they are doing.”
Speedworks best results in the BTCC were delivered in 2012 when Paul O’Neill stood in at Knockhill, delivering a brace of sixth-placed finishes and a fourth. However with Jackson and proven race-winner Newsham on board for 2013, Team Boss Christian Dick is hopeful of strong results in the coming season.
“We have a great car in the Toyota and we are really excited that Ollie is coming on board: he has been quick in everything he has raced in the past and I think that this year, with a quick team-mate like Dave, he will have a good benchmark and I think the results will flow. It’s really exciting; having two experienced drivers working together from the start of the season will put us in a very good position.”