Power Maxed Racing has confirmed its intention to enter a single car for the remainder of the 2020 British Touring Car Championship season, with Mike Bushell getting behind the wheel this weekend.
PMR had withdrawn from the BTCC in July, at the time releasing a carefully-worded statement which simply declared their intention to return fully in 2021 and electing ‘not to compete in the format expected for the 2020 BTCC’.
That announcement left already signed 2020 drivers Jason Plato and Mat Jackson on the sidelines for this season, although the team did leave the door open for up-and-coming drivers to appear on a one-off basis in 2020.
Bushell has now been confirmed as the first driver to join the team for a race weekend, competing at Oulton Park and Knockhill. The 31-year-old had been set to race in the 2020 season with Team HARD before the coronavirus-related delays got in the way.
Bushell, who fell ill with myocarditis in the winter, would have missed the first of the originally-scheduled BTCC events, but even with the delayed season start he was ultimately replaced at Tony Gilham’s team by Ollie Brown.
Bushell is therefore looking forward to finally joining the BTCC grid for Oulton Park this weekend with PMR.
“PMR have proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with since they started racing in 2015, and I’m excited to be working with them this season,” said Bushell.
“Martin [Broadhurst] and his team have put together a great car, as proven by multiple race wins, and I’m looking forward to both driving and engineering the car, as well as working with the great driver line up they are putting together.
“I’ve had my eye on some of the names for a while, and I think this programme gives them a unique opportunity to peddle a front running car in the world’s best racing series.”
Adam Weaver, PMR Team Principal stressed the planned temporary nature of the team’s absence from the BTCC grid.
“Our announcement at the start of the season to temporarily withdraw from the BTCC was, as we said at the time, only intended to be for a few rounds,” said Weaver.
“After just two rounds away from the paddock, and with the grid seemingly stronger than ever this year, we simply couldn’t wait to step back into the mix.
“We’d like to thank all our fans for their support, and we’re excited to get back out on track and give you what you want to see!”