Andy Neate will return to the British Touring Car Championship in 2020, racing a Ford Focus for Motorbase Performance after three years away from the series.
Neate, 45, first made his BTCC début in 2001 when he took part in one round in the BTC Production class. Since then he has gone on to race with top teams such as WSR (2010), Arena Motorsport (2011), Triple Eight Race engineering (2012), his own outfit (2013) and Team Dynamics (2016).
His last foray into the championship only lasted one round in 2016 before he withdrew due to budgetary reasons.
At the time, TOCA had said it would not accept any entry associated with Neate. However, that statement was later rescinded and he has now been confirmed as returning to the championship with Motorbase in 2020, his eighth different team in eight years of entries.
“It has been a while, but I feel like I have some unfinished business in the BTCC,” says Neate, who will test in an older-spec Ford before racing in a new model for the start of the season.
“I have taken some time away and I have been overseeing my son Aiden’s burgeoning karting career, but there was always the itch to come back to the BTCC.
“I don’t think I have been in a place where I could really show what I can do, but Motorbase suits me perfectly.
“Within a few minutes of talking to the team bosses, I could tell there was a hunger to succeed here which matches my own ambitions and there is also a really nice and encouraging atmosphere. We will be a superb fit, I am sure.
“I have a lot of experience and I have always enjoyed developing new cars, so the challenge with Motorbase and its new Ford Focus is something I am keen to get started with.
“I need to dust off some cobwebs first and I want to be in a position to hit the ground running when we get to the opening rounds at Donington Park on March 28-29.”
Neate will line up alongside Ollie Jackson and Rory Butcher at the Kent-based team, where Team Principal David Bartrum is expecting him to be a positive addition to the driver line-up.
“We’re delighted to welcome Andy to Motorbase Performance in a very exciting year for us with the new car,” said Bartrum.
“Andy has a wealth of experience in the BTCC with some very good teams and from our early meetings he is very motivated and keen to get to work with our team.
“The BTCC has moved on since his absence from the series and Andy has no illusions of the task ahead and getting back up to speed.
“We have a test programme planned which will start in last year’s car to get him back up to speed and see how the cars have developed since he last drove the Honda.
“I feel sure from his experience he will be a great addition to the team.”
