Power Maxed Racing facing uncertain future after sponsorship loss

Leading independent British Touring Car Championship team Power Maxed Racing is facing an uncertain future, following the announcement that its title sponsor has pulled its sponsorship.

The team first picked up backing from Pendragon Management Services for the 2022 season, when its CarStore brand appeared on the side of the team’s Vauxhall Astras.

That branding continued into 2023, before it was switched to the Evans Halshaw name when American company Lithia Motors acquired the brands – before killing off the CarStore name.

Now, three years into a five-year deal, the title sponsorship from Pengragon is to end, leaving the future of Power Maxed Racing in doubt.

“Power Maxed Racing Limited is saddened to announce that Pendragon Management Services Limited will no longer be continuing as a sponsor to a team in the BTCC,” read a statement from the team.

“PMR had expected this to be a five-year sponsorship programme, but unfortunately it has ended at the end of year three.

“The team, which has been jointly named Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing for this purpose, has competed successfully for the last three seasons in the BTCC, and in 2024 took home three titles – Independent Teams’, Independent Drivers’ (Árón Taylor-Smith) and the Jack Sears Trophy (Mikey Doble).

“PMR has both continually and heavily invested in the development of its Vauxhall Astras based on this five-year plan and has seen its competitiveness improve season by season.

“It comes as no surprise that the partnership has proved to be a hugely successful collaboration both on and off-track. During this period PMR has taken an overall pole position, challenged for race wins, taken multiple podiums, 36 Independent race wins, 38 Jack Sears Trophy victories, plus four championships including the Independents Teams’, Independent Drivers’ and two Jack Sears Trophy titles.

“Although we are clearly seeking alternative sponsors and solutions to this situation, the unexpected and late decision poses a significant threat to PMR’s ability to continue competing in the BTCC in the short term should we not find suitable partners.”

Taylor-Smith is understood to be close to announcing his stay in the series for 2025, whilst Doble’s future is in doubt following the announcement.

Power Maxed Team Principal Adam Weaver admitted that the team was having to move quickly to secure sufficient backing to continue in 2025.

“It would be a great shame for our journey in the BTCC to come to an unexpected end, especially off the back of such an incredible season for us,” said Weaver. “However, if it does become the end of our story then what a fantastic last chapter!

“We are still working tirelessly to put things together with existing partners and to attract new ones, but it’s all having to happen a little faster than we had planned.

“This makes things a bit more difficult, but we haven’t given up yet.”