Tom Chilton is looking forward to his return to the British Touring Car Championship in a Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall in 2017, as the Brit embarks on a historic season in the BTCC and WTCC.
It was revealed in December 2016 that Chilton would be returning to the BTCC after a five-year absence when he was announced as a driver for the Power Maxed Racing works Vauxhall team.
The Brit was subsequently able to put together a deal with World Touring Car Championship team Sébastien Loeb Racing that sees him also remain in the WTCC for a sixth consecutive season, marking the first-ever time that a driver has embarked on dual full-season campaigns in the two championships.
Chilton admits that he is particularly looking forward to a return to the BTCC, which he feels familiar with, having raced in the championship for ten years between 2002 and 2011.
“For me it’s a bit like putting on an old pair of slippers,” said Chilton to TouringCars.Net. “I did 250 races in the BTCC, so it’s like putting on an old pair of slippers and getting back into it.
“The cars have changed and the regulations have changed, so as much as I feel like I know all of the people, drivers and the circuits there, the cars have changed. They’re half like the World Touring Cars, in terms of having more power, and they should stop at about the same speed as they’ve got bigger brakes [than the old S2000-spec cars], but the suspension components are different and it’s got more of a road car engine.”
Chilton says that the plan to compete in both championship began in November 2016, when he was actively seeking a return to the BTCC.
“I personally rung up most team bosses on the grid and had a meeting with quite a few of them, as I was really trying to get together a plan for the British, because I had some sponsorship I could use in Britain.
“Commercially, going back to Vauxhall was perfect for me. I see this as something which is going to get bigger and bigger each year. Yes, it’s going to be a bit of a learning year in the first year with a new car and not much testing before the start of the year, but I really see this growing into something a lot bigger. That, for me, is very exciting.
“The BTCC programme should hopefully develop over the next year or two into something a lot better, and I’ve got a chance of being British champion as well.
“Keeping the WTCC programme together was quite a slow process, but we managed to just do it. For me, I think it’s my best chance at having a crack at being World Champion this year if I’m honest.”
“When I left the BTCC, I left because the rules were changing and I knew there was going to be teething problems, and I was right. There were lots of things in the rules which were changing and it was also the perfect time for me to go and dip my toe in another swimming pool.
“I now feel that the BTCC has come together so well that it’s seriously good. I’m laughing when I’m talking because I’m really excited about coming back.
“The racing is as close as it has ever been. I love racing and overtaking and I think the BTCC is going to be so much fun to race in; I feel like everything has been ironed out. With the rules now, everyone is going to be with the same kit for the next five years, and I love that.
“Whatever I’m learning this year with the car, if I can get it to be good and I enjoy driving the cars, I could spend the next five years having a lot of fun, and I see that as a good thing.”
Power Maxed Racing are understood to have completed the welding of the roll cages into the new cars, and the Astras are set to be sprayed in the body shop with their new paint job.
The cars are on course to be completed in mid-February, but Chilton is under no illusions that he will have little time to test the car before the start of the new season.
“At the moment, it looks as if we are on plan for the cars to be ready by the middle of February,” added Chilton. “The problem is, I’ve got three separate race tracks booked for WTCC testing in the Citroën with Sébastien Loeb Racing, so I’ve got to somehow squeeze in testing with the Vauxhall and the WTCC! I haven’t got many days free until the start of the year!
“It will be very, very different to go from two days at Monza in a World Touring Car to Donington Park in a British Touring Car. It will be a good chance for me to learn, testing back-to-back the next day, and I’ll instantly know the difference between the two.”
“I’m a bit nervous about the British Championship at the moment, as we’re not going to have more than a couple of days of testing. I think it could mean we might struggle a little bit at the first round.”