Power Maxed Racing has signed Michael Crees for the 2022 British Touring Car Championship season, marking a return to the championship for the 38-year-old after a season away.
Crees, who first joined the BTCC grid in 2019, was left without a drive on the eve of the 2021 season after parting ways with BTC Racing, being replaced by Dan Cammish for last year’s season opener, before Senna Proctor stepped into the seat for the rest of the year.
After losing his BTCC drive, Crees instead competed in the opening three events of the Formula One-supporting Porsche Supercup with Team Parker Racing at Monaco and the Red Bull Ring last year, with a best result of 23rd from his three appearances.
However Crees is looking forward to a return to touring cars for what will be his third season in the BTCC, as he seeks to build on his career-best result of ninth, which he equalled in 2020.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to be back in the BTCC, so glad to finally get a deal done,” said Crees. “We obviously intended to continue in touring cars last year but it didn’t quite go to plan, but I’m hungrier than ever, now I have been abroad racing the best in the world on tracks like Monaco.
“I’m aiming for a strong season in the Vauxhall Astra and have been speaking to the team over the last few years, but never quite managed to get the deal across the line – now we have finally done that.
“Obviously, I wouldn’t be on the grid without my amazing sponsors and the support team I have built around me, Vince, Paul, Tony and Diana, so a huge a huge thank you goes to all of them for their continued assistance.
“I simply couldn’t do this without the support of my wife Jodie and our two amazing children Hugo and Bonnie, as they have put up with a lot of phone calls and ups and downs but glad we can focus on the job in hand now and all enjoy it!
“The Astra is a new car for me to get adjusted to, and there are obviously differences this year with the introduction of hybrid power, but I’m confident we can put together a successful season with the guys at Power Maxed Racing and we’re all looking forward to the challenge.”
Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal, admits that the team had been talking with the Kent-based racer for several seasons now.
“We’re really pleased to finally get Michael in our car, and we have been interested in him for a few years now,” said Weaver.
“He’s a great friend of the team, and has proved himself to be a great character on the BTCC stage and universally liked by all.
“I’m sure he will make the garage a fun place to be, and that we can help him develop and secure the results we know he is capable of.”
The 2022 BTCC gets underway at Donington Park on 23 – 24 April.