AmDtuning.com have announced Ollie Jackson will spearhead the team’s 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship challenge, with the 31-year old signing a deal to pilot the team’s Audi S3.
The car, which has been resprayed in red as an homage to AmD’s previous liveries, was piloted as a guest entry during last seasons championship, first by Nic Hamilton and then later by Jake Hill at the series finale around the Grand Prix configuration at Brands Hatch.
Jackson, who lasted competed in the UK’s premier motorsport series in 2014 with Welch Motorsport, spent last season racing in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup on the support series package, but is now ready to make the step back up to the biggest stage.
Commenting on the move, Jackson underlined his points scoring ambitions and admits a return to the series was just as much of a surprise to him as it will come to some spectators.
“If I’m being honest, I didn’t really think a BTCC return was on the cards this year and I was expecting to return to Ginettas again for a second season,” explained Jackson.
“However, I had a chat with Shaun and before you know it, we’d agreed a deal for me to race the Audi this year.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back on the touring car grid, especially with the guys at AmDTuning.com as my best season in the BTCC came with them back in 2012 with the Golf.
“My last season in the championship didn’t go to plan and is one I would rather forget, but I feel I’m coming back into the series in good shape and view this deal as a fresh start and an opportunity to show what I can do.
“There is no doubt that the Audi has a lot of potential, but we also have to be realistic in what is going to be a very strong field. I see no reason why we can’t challenge for points on a regular basis during the season and if we can also break into the top ten as we go along then I think we can be happy.”
Team Principal Shaun Hollamby also reiterated his happiness with Jackson’s return to the AmD fold, and echoed his new driver’s points scoring ambitions heading into a brand new season.
“We had a lot of interest in the car for this season, particularly after people had chance to see it in the flesh in the new livery at the Autosport International show,” commented Hollamby.
“We’re pleased to have agreed a deal with Ollie to return the fold and are looking forward to resuming the relationship we enjoyed with him when he raced with our Golf.
“Ollie is a driver who comes back into the series with a point to prove after a tough year in 2014 and we are confident that we have a package that will allow him to show his true potential.
“We showed the pace of the Audi in the second half of 2015 and with Ollie back in the team, we are confident of being able to regularly challenge for points during the year ahead.
Jackson’s first taste of his new machinery will come at the only officially timed pre-season test, scheduled to take place at the Season Launch at Donington Park on March 22nd.