Power Maxed Racing have unveiled Hunter Abbott as the first of their drivers for the 2016 British Touring Car Championship, and have confirmed he will pilot one of the team’s Chevrolet Cruzes.
Abbott, who enters his third season in the UK’s premier motorsport series after two season with fans favourite Rob Austin Racing. His racing career also includes successful outings in both Porsches and the British GT4 Championship, as well as lap records at distinguished circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Zolder and Spa-Francorchamps, home of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Power Maxed Racing endured a challenging debut season with Chris Stockton in 2014, but a change in ownership and technical personnel heralded a fantastic turnaround last season, with race-winner Dave Newsham and rising star Josh Cook pulling the team forward to the lower echelons of the top ten and, in Cook’s case, onto the podium on one occasion.
The team also secured the Jack Sears Trophy with Cook as a result of his being the most successful rookie driver in last year’s championship. The team is aiming for similar success this season, and Team Principal, Adam Weaver, believes Hunter Abbott is the latest promising ingredient to be added into the mix.
“I have had my eye on Hunter for a while now and am looking forward to giving him a chance to shine and show his true potential,” commented Weaver.
“I have been a good judge of motor sport talent in the past and I see something in Hunter.
“Hunter has a great track record and we are confident that if we guide him through the switch to front-wheel drive, he will flourish in the team, turn a few heads and deliver some of his best results.
“We run a very ‘open book’ team approach, sharing data and set-ups as we believe that treating both drivers as equals moves the whole team forward. I am sure that by pairing him with the technical skill of the PMR team and engineers, we can help Hunter unlock his true BTCC pace.”
Abbott also thanked his new team for the opportunity to rejoin the grid in 2016, and believes that the Chevrolet will prove to be a positive learning curve for him as he tackles a front-wheel drive BTCC car for the very first time.
“I am very much looking forward to the new opportunities presented by PMR,” echoed Abbott. “I want to show the paddock what I can achieve and repay Adam’s faith in my abilities. I have had two good years in the BTCC and I can’t wait to get out in the Chevrolet. It will also be great to try my hand at front-wheel drive, especially as the Cruze has enjoyed such a high level of development.”
Power Maxed Racing are continuing discussions in regards to Abbott’s team mate for this season.