BTC Racing will once again field Josh Cook and Michael Crees in two of its Hondas in the 2021 British Touring Car Championship, after confirming the duo for their third and second seasons with the outfit respectively.
Cook, 29, joined BTC Racing for the start of the 2019 season, and quickly impressed, winning three times and being a title contender for much of the year.
A more difficult 2020 season saw Cook struggle with misfortune in the first half of the year, but after winning at Thruxton in August he was never outside the top ten thereafter, also picking up three wins in total on his way to ninth in the drivers’ standings.
Crees was a regular points finisher in 2020, his first with the team, and the 37-year-old picked up three top finishes on his way to 17th in the championship standings and also the Jack Sears’ Trophy title.
“It really is fantastic news to be able to announce Josh and Michael are remaining with BTC Racing for the 2021 season in the BTCC,” said Team Principal Steve Dudman.
“Everyone knows Josh’s credentials as a multiple race winner in touring cars, and we are all confident he will be able to mount a genuine challenge for the outright BTCC crown as well as the Independents Trophy title next season.
“Michael really did come of age as a driver last year in his first season with us at BTC Racing, and when you consider he only started racing cars 2017 his progress has been outstanding.
“Winning the Jack Sears Trophy was a great achievement and the target next year will certainly be for him to score regular overall points finishes and to challenge for the outright top ten.”
Cook believes that the recent re-structure of BTC Racing, which saw the departure of Bert Taylor, will increase the team’s determination for 2021.
“I am very happy to be part of BTC Racing again for 2021,” said Cook. “This will be my third season with the team and I’ve known a number of the crew since I joined, so I’m looking forward to working with them all again.
“I am equally delighted to be working with Michael Crees again, he is a great team-mate, we work really well together and we plan to push even harder in 2021.
“We had a difficult start to 2020 but we hit the second half of the year with a pole position and two wins, fastest lap at Croft and a further win at Thruxton.
“In the second half of the year we were back where we should have been. With the new management structure recently announced at BTC Racing we are all even more determined to keep pushing forwards.
“Finally, a huge thank you to Steve Dudman for his continued support. I cannot wait to get back out in the car and get started.”
Crees is entering into his third year in the BTCC with the same team for the first time.
“I’m super excited to be staying with BTC Racing and competing in the BTCC again next season,” said Crees. “I would like to [thank] Team Principal Steve Dudman for his on-going support. It makes absolute sense for all of us to continue to work together to develop the team.
“At this point I would like to also say a big thank you to my team-mate Josh Cook who really brought me on this year, I have learnt so much from him which massively developed me as a driver.
“I am buzzing and really looking forward to racing the same car, for a second season, for the first time in my career.
“I would also like to say thank you to all of my sponsors and fans who have supported me along the way.”