Charles Rainford will step up to the British Touring Car Championship in 2025, where he will race a West Surrey Racing-prepared BMW as part of the LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing line-up.
Rainford, 26, moves up to the BTCC from the Porsche Careera Cup Great Britain, where he has been a leading contender for several seasons.
Making his début in the BTCC-supporting Porsche Cup in 2021, he was immediately a winner in the Pro-Am Class.
In 2023, he moved up to the Pro category and won several times, ending the year in fourth overall. Last year, Rainford bettered that and finished second in the drivers’ standings, just seven points shy of the title-winning score.
The Horsham racer, who made his racing début unusually in historic racing in 2016, will partner Aiden Moffat in the LKQ-backed team and will be eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy in his maiden season.
Rainford completes WSR’s four-car driver line-up, teaming up with Aiden Moffat in the LKQ team, whilst reigning champion Jake Hill and Daryl DeLeon will drive the other two 3 Series’. Four-time champion Colin Turkington announced last week that due to ‘a combination of factors’ he would not be racing in 2025.
“I’m so excited, not just to race in the BTCC, but with the most successful team on the grid in LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR,” said Rainford.
“Some of my earliest memories of racing are of watching the BTCC with my Dad, so to be there myself feels amazing.
“Walking into WSR HQ for the first time and seeing the trophies and the names on the wall like Senna, Mansell, Priaulx and Turkington was incredible. I’d love to see my name up there one day and if we can win the Jack Sears Trophy this year, that would be a great start.
“A huge thanks to my partners at Cognition Land and Water for supporting my career so far and helping me to make this step.”
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts is confident that Rainford has the skills to be competitive in the BTCC.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Charles to LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR,” added Bennetts.
“He’s had an unusual route to the BTCC, but from what we’ve seen of him in Carrera Cup GB and, in particular, the calibre of driver he’s beaten there, we’re confident he has the speed and skill necessary to turn his potential into on-track success.
“He and Aiden should make an exciting pair to keep an eye on this year.”