Laser Tools Racing has announced it will not be part of the 2023 British Touring Car Championship, after nine years as a leading sponsor in the series.
It marks the end of a longstanding partnership with the Moffat family, with Scot Aiden Moffat having been sponsored by Laser Tools since he first entered the BTCC full-time nine years ago.
In recent years the team has campaigned Infiniti Q50 machinery, running a pair of the cars for Matt and fellow Scot Dexter Patterson.
However, after the high of winning the drivers’ championship in 2020 and 2021 with Ashley Sutton, this year the team struggled to even get close to the podium, with Moffat only picking up one podium and five top ten finishes, whilst Patterson scored a best result of 14th.
Last year, Laser Tools Racing also secured the overall Teams’ championship for the first time.
The TOCA BTCC Licences [TBLs] utilised by the team are owned by Aiden Moffat Racing, who have yet to comment on their 2023 plans.
“We’ve had a great nine years in the BTCC and I am particularly proud of the 2021 season as winners of the Teams’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship in the same year,” said Chairman of Laser Tools, Martin Smith.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the team during our years of competing in the BTCC — it really has been a “team” in the true sense of the word, and everyone involved over the years, in whatever capacity, has my heartfelt thanks. I would also like to thank other partners who have joined us in this success story.
“And of course we must thank Aiden Moffat and the rest of the Moffat family who have offered so much involvement and sheer hard work into this project. We wish them well for the future.
“Now, it’s time for a new challenge, and we have some exciting plans in place for 2023. However, we are open to new ideas and new offers to take the team forward.”