Power Maxed Racing has confirmed that it will not compete in the reduced nine-event 2020 British Touring Car Championship, leaving Jason Plato and Mat Jackson without a drive for the season.
PMR had originally committed to the BTCC for a third season in its Vauxhall Astra machinery, but it released a statement on Tuesday confirming its decision to withdraw from this year’s BTCC.
“Power Maxed Racing have today announced their intention not to compete in the format expected for the 2020 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC),” said the statement.
“The decision was not an easy one to make for the Warwickshire-based squad, but Team Principal Adam Weaver has confirmed that the team will compete in the 2021 BTCC season without question, carrying all existing partner contracts over.”
Weaver admitted the decision had been a difficult one for the company to take in the wake of the disruption caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Obviously making this decision was not easy,” said Weaver. “But ourselves and our commercial partners felt that overall, it’s the most responsible thing to do in order to preserve our resources for next year.
“I want to clarify that this is in no way us ‘giving up’. We are simply hitting the pause button, on these agreements, with all our branding partners and team wear simply being carried over for the ‘20/21 season, along with all corporate hospitality obligations.
“It means that we’ve got even more time to develop the Astras and will come out of the blocks fighting next March!
Plato supported the decision made by the team, which will mean he is absent from the BTCC grid for the first time since 2003.
“I genuinely believe this is the right decision for us as a team, and all of our loyal partners,” said Plato. “It may not be what people want to hear, and we are all gutted to not be racing as we had planned.
“But the really important thing is to make sure we are in a position to race again in ’21 and for many years beyond, and this was the best way for us all to guarantee that.”
The team has confirmed it hopes to ‘showcase and develop both young motorsport talent and hopefully show off some talented fan favourites that usually aren’t able to commit to full seasons due to various other commitments’.
TOCA Chief Executive Alan Gow is hoping that the car may still appear at some circuits in 2020, entered as an independent entry without Vauxhall manufacturer backing.
“Power Maxed Racing have come a long way from their first foray in 2015, and they’ll be missed on the grid this year,” added Gow.
“Hopefully, we will see the car pop up though, and from what Adam has said, they’ll be back in the thick of it come ’21.
“I understand that these uncertain times will bring some outcomes that none of us like, but we just need to weather the storm and support each other as best we can.”