James Nash will switch from driving a Team Aon Ford Focus to a bamboo engineering Chevrolet Cruze for the 2013 World Touring Car Championship, it was announced today.
Nash, who made his début in the WTCC at the beginning of this year, will switch from driving the previously unproven Ford Focus to the championship winning Chevrolet Cruze model at bamboo.
“I’m delighted to have signed with Bamboo,” said Nash, 26. “The Chevrolet is such a strong platform and will give me a chance to show my true potential. Richard runs a tight ship and we both share the ambition to challenge for the drivers championship in 2013.
“Racing in the WTCC this year has been immense; it’s a fantastic championship and allows me to compete with the best in the world and race on a global stage. I’ve definitely been bitten by the WTCC bug; the racers, the tracks, the countries are all top notch, but now I need to make my mark on the global stage.”
Nash scored a best result of sixth in 2012 on his way to 20th in the championship. The young Briton from Milton Keynes had a difficult season developing the new Ford Focus with Team Aon, and he took just three top ten finishes.
“It was important for me to sign early for 2013, I’m up to speed with the tracks and have some good experience in the WTCC, now is my chance to get my head down, bag some points and focus on my driving,” concluded Nash.
Team Principal of bamboo engineering, Richard Coleman, was delighted to have signed Nash, having followed his progress through the BTCC between 2009 and 2011, and his graduation to the WTCC in 2012.
“We’re delighted to have signed James, I’ve been talking to James for many years now and to have finally put pen to paper is great for Bamboo, but also for James,” said Coleman. “We have a fantastic platform and we’ve been knocking on the door for a few years now, but with Nash onboard, and his newly gained WTCC experience, he’ll be a challenger this year, 2013 is going to be great.
“Not only have we got James in the bag, but we’ve also got a few other developments up our sleeves so watch this space between now and March!”
Nash’s team-mate at bamboo for 2013 has not yet been confirmed, neither has his potential replacement at Team Aon.