Mike Bushell will make his British Touring Car Championship debut this weekend at Knockhill for IP Tech Race Engineering, with Andy Neate stepping aside for the event.
Clio Cup racer Bushell tested the squad’s Chevrolet Cruze at Snetterton earlier in the week with a view to moving into the series next season, but with the support series not on the BTCC line up this weekend, team owner Neate saw this weekend’s round at Knockhill as the perfect opportunity for the 24-year-old to get a feel for the series.
“Mike’s has already proved his pace in the Clio Cup UK, often seen as a feeder series to the BTCC, and he impressed me during his time on track at Snetterton,” Said Neate. “Following his test and a number of conversations with him, I wanted to give him an opportunity at the right time in his career that I would have cut my arm off for in years gone by. I saw Knockhill as that ideal opportunity as he’s not in his usual Clio ride at the weekend.”
With Neate having debuted the car in the previous rounds at Snetterton, he was positive that Bushell would be able to perform under competitive circumstances.
“I’m confident he’ll be holding his own out there, but primarily its a priceless chance for him to experience the other side of the event which is important.
“It’s going to be a test for him but I’m sure he’ll step up to the plate.”