MG will return for another assault on the British Touring Car Championship in 2015 with Triple Eight Race Engineering, with a re-branding of the team ahead of next season.
After a successful 2014 campaign saw Jason Plato finish second in the drivers’ championship and the team claim the manufacturers’ title – which had been won by Honda four years previously – the marque’s presence in the series was nevertheless subject of speculation, having reached the end of their initial three-year programme.
But with new sponsors onboard for next season, the team were able to announce their continuation in the BTCC with the MG6 GT, while also confirming that it will have a brand-new driver line-up next season, with Plato and his title sponsor Tesco departing the team and Sam Tordoff having switched to West Surrey Racing.
With any debate about their appearance on the grid put to bed, the manufacturer expressed that they were confident that they could continue to to perform in the same vein that they had done in the last three years.
“I am delighted to be able to confirm that MG will return to defend its title as BTCC manufacturer champions in 2015,” said Matthew Cheyne, MG’s head of marketing. “The three-year programme to race the MG6 GT with Triple Eight has proved so successful both on and off track that there was little doubt we would return in 2015.
“The MG brand is iconic and Triple Eight are the most successful team in the history of BTCC, as such together we are an attractive proposition and believe we will be in contention to defend our title next year. The BTCC has never been in such good shape and with a full grid containing a wide range of manufacturers and models, plus rising attendance and viewing figures, I am excited at the prospects for 2015 for MG, Triple Eight, our drivers, sponsors and of course our loyal and growing worldwide MG fan base.”
Triple Eight Race Engineering Managing Director and co-founder, Ian Harrison, was similarly pleased to be renewing the partnership, which he hoped would continue to produce strong results.
“We’re very much looking forward to next year, our fourth with MG and 19th in the BTCC,” said Harrison. “Over the past three years we’ve taken more race wins than any other constructor and manufacturer, and next year we are intent on extending that run of form.
“There’s little doubt that 2015 will be even more competitive than this year as teams get a handle on developing their cars, but we’re confident we’ve assembled the right elements to take it to the other teams and ensure we’re in the mix by the end of the year.”
Photo courtesy of Triple Eight Race Engineering.