Speedworks Motorsport has confirmed that it will enter the 2020 British Touring Car Championship under the banner of Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, as Tom Ingram seeks to secure the outright drivers’ title for the team.
The full entry for the team has been filed under the name ‘Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters’, signifying the continued backing from Toyota UK in the new Corolla programme.
Ingram guided the car to four race wins in its first season in 2019, whilst Speedworks has proven its credentials in the Independents category by twice claiming the Independent Teams’ title in recent years.
The team has now adopted the Toyota Gazoo Racing name, bringing it into line with the Japanese manufacturers’ international racing and rallying activities.
“To see the Corolla running under the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK banner this season will be a great incentive for everyone in the team and for all of our fans, as it connects us directly with one of the world’s most successful motorsport operations,” said Team Principal Christian Dick.
“It is an absolute honour and clear validation of the outstanding effort put in by each and every member of the Speedworks crew, of whom I am immensely proud.
“We are all very much looking forward to building upon what we achieved in the Corolla’s maiden campaign last year and mounting an even stronger championship challenge in 2020.”
Ingram says that he can’t wait for the season to get underway at Donington Park on the 28 – 29 March, as he seeks to improve on his placing of sixth overall in the drivers’ standings in 2019.
“The last few years have been an absolute whirlwind, from our back-to-back Independent title wins to the arrival of official Manufacturer support in 2019 and now the close affiliation with Toyota Gazoo Racing, whose pedigree in the sport speaks for itself,” said Ingram.
“I was privileged enough to be granted a go on Toyota Gazoo Racing’s state-of-the-art simulator last autumn, which was quite an eye-opener, alongside a guided tour of the TS050 Hybrid sports prototype that competes in WEC.
“The technical prowess and attention-to-detail behind both was extremely impressive, and the kind of ‘money-can’t-buy’ expertise we will be looking to channel in our pursuit of BTCC silverware this season.
“I can’t wait to get started!”