The Laser Tools Racing team will receive technical assistance from fellow British Touring Car Championship outfit Ciceley Motorsport for the remainder of the 2014 season, it was announced today.
The squad, which fields Aiden Moffat in a Chevrolet Cruze, have also recruited former BTCC driver Tom Onslow-Cole to act as a ‘Performance Adviser’ for the young Scotsman.
While the team came close to scoring its first points as a constructor in April this year when Moffat finished 16th at Donington Park, progress has in general been hard to come by with limited opportunities to test the machine as well as the emergence of mechanical issues.
The decision was therefore taken to bring external assistance to the project, and following the successful introduction of the Mercedes A-Class to the series, WIX Racing’s Chief Engineer Paul Rideway and his team will now aid the fledgling squad as they bid to move up the competitive order.
The partnership between the two teams – which will see the Laser Tools staff retain their place within the team, with Ridgeway advising the team ahead of race weekends and analysing their performance afterwards – will be tested properly for the first time at Snetterton in two weeks’ time, but Moffat’s team are certain that it will be a success.
“We spoke to a few interested teams,” said Team Boss Bob Moffat, the father of racer Aiden. “We have carefully assessed our progress and everyone in the team did a fantastic job to get the car on the grid for the start of the season. It has of course been a steep learning curve and felt the summer break was the right time for our next move.
“The opportunity to work with an experienced operation like Ciceley Motorsport is a great step for us and we hope to benefit from their preparation qualities and in overseeing of the car during a race weekend.
“The other real benefit is for Aiden himself to be involved with such a team and a top driver in Adam Morgan. Furthermore we believe that Aiden working directly with [Tom] Onlsow-Cole will bring immediate benefits. Tom is so experienced as a BTCC driver, having driven and won in a number of different machines. He’s also been in the position where Aiden is now – starting out in the BTCC – so he’ll be a huge help I’m sure, plus we will share data with the Ciceley team which can only help him at this early stage of his BTCC career.
“We’re delighted to be working with such really nice people who we know will do a great job.”
Moffat Jr. became the youngest driver ever to compete in the series last year when he made his debut at Knockhill and proved his worth by scoring three points between then and the end of the season, but with a competitive field limiting points-scoring opportunities, Onslow-Cole has been brought in to help the 17-year-old develop.
And after moving to the British GT Championship after seven seasons in the BTCC, the seven-time race winner was excited about the opportunity to be part of the series once more.
“I am really pleased to be helping Aiden and the team, as well as returning to see lots of familiar faces in the BTCC paddock,” enthused Onslow-Cole. “I believe I have lots of experience to give, both on the driving front but also having worked with a number of BTCC cars including the latest NGTC machines. I have worked with Paul Ridgeway before and I also coached Aiden during his Fiesta days so there’s already a relationship there and I can’t wait to get started.”