Andy Wilmot will undertake his first full British Touring Car Championship campaign in 2015, after it was announced that he would race for Welch Motorsport.
Wilmot, 34, had pursued a drive in Britain’s premier motorsport series since making a one-off appearance for Team HARD. in 2013, where he secured three top 20 finishes despite having no prior experience of driving the Volkswagen CC he piloted that weekend.
Having previously raced in the VW Cup and the Renault Clio Cup, Wilmot secured the necessary budget for a race seat and will graduate to the BTCC with Welch Motorsport.With a full season scheduled, Wilmot is hoping to build on the experience he gained during his debut in 2013 to turn in some competitive performances for his new team.
“It’s a dream come true for me and the reality has not really sunk in yet,” said Wilmot. “I certainly have a lot to learn, but over the Winter months with the test schedule planned, and a car that is very well sorted handling wise, I think Dan and John [Welch] will get the best out of me.
“The Team have a lot of experience in the BTCC and having watched the guys since last year, everything is coming together nicely to drive the #12 car.
“Everybody is as excited as myself, and we fully understand it is a big step up for me into touring cars, but I have a lot of experience and am willing to learn. Exciting times lie ahead and with the test programme planned I just can not wait to get going.”
Welch Motorsport’s Team Principle, John Welch, was also please to to have Wilmot onboard for next season, as the team – who head into their fifth year of competition in the series – look to improve on a disappointing 2014 campaign.
“I’m delighted that Andy has shown faith in us, we certainly did not have the best year with developing our own engines,” he said. “Ollie [Jackson] and Dan were so patient with us it was rather humbling, but for next season TOCA is evaluating the engine parity regulations and this certainly will make a big difference as we were affected more than others.
“As yet we have not taken the decision which way we will go engine wise – using the TOCA unit or our own – until we have completed the dyno program with updated components and electronics that has been underway since the season finished with XtecR.
“Andy fits in well with us and has been working very hard to pull this deal together, its our intention to ensure he is fully competitive and also enjoys his first complete season in the BTCC.”
Photo courtesy of Welch Motorsport.