British Touring Car Championship newcomer Andrew Watson says he is keen to get started in his touring car career at Donington Park this weekend, where he will make his début with Power Maxed Racing.
Watson, 28, has extensive prior experience in sportscars – he first raced in the BTCC-supporting Ginetta Junior Championship in 2011 before ultimately graduating into the Ginetta GT4 Supercup and the British GT Championship.
In recent years, Northern Irishman Watson raced in the Blancpain GT Series, and in 2019 and 2021 also in the FIA World Endurance Championship in the GTE class.
As such, he faces a unique challenge in 2023, as he adapts to racing a front-wheel drive car for the first time in his PMR-prepared Vauxhall Astra.
“I’m really looking forward to getting the season started,” said Watson, who is eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy.
“It’s been quite a while since we announced the drive, so I’m itching to get stuck in and begin this new chapter of my career in the BTCC.
“The car is unlike anything I’ve ever driven before, and there’s a certain style of racing you need to master to be successful in the BTCC.
“But it’s an exciting process, testing has kicked everything off on a positive note, and I can’t wait to get going.”
Team Principal Adam Weaver says the changes the outfit has implemented in the off-season – changing its entire driver line-up and expanding to three cars for the first time – has given him confidence ahead of the season opener in Leicestershire.
“This will be the team’s ninth season competing in the BTCC, and I still get the same buzz before the first round now, as I did then,” said Weaver.
“It’s been a really strong winter for us. We’re delighted to continue our relationship with several of our key partners, including CarStore, Evans Halshaw, SellYourCar and Pendragon, as well as welcome a whole host of new ones to the team.
“It’s been an exciting pre-season on-track too. The drivers are gelling with the team and with the car, and everything is in place for an enjoyable and competitive year of racing ahead.”