New backer to support two-car BMW team

British Touring Automotive Championship powerhouse West Surrey Racing has secured backing for a two-car crew of BMWs from LKQ Euro Automotive Elements for 2025.

The change of allegiance for LKQ comes after its partnership with the Honda crew of One Motorsport in 2023, which then transferred to title sponsorship of two of Speedworks Motorsport’s squad of Toyotas this season.

The widespread theme all through LKQ’s involvement so far within the BTCC has been drivers Josh Prepare dinner and Aiden Moffat.

Prepare dinner is known to not be within the body at WSR, whereas Moffat has been closely linked with the crew for a number of weeks.

WSR has up to now confirmed recently crowned champion Jake Hill, whose BMW 330i M Sport will proceed to be run below the MB Motorsport/Laser Instruments banner in deference to his administration and sponsor, as well as Daryl DeLeon.

4-time champion and WSR stalwart Colin Turkington is an apparent alternative for one of many remaining seats, however crew boss Dick Bennetts wouldn’t be drawn on his possibilities of a seat or Moffat’s.

“We’ve obtained six drivers within the working,” was all Bennetts would say.

Whereas WSR has 4 TBL entrants’ licences for the 2025 season, it’s understood that the crew continues to be open to increasing to a five-car line-up ought to one of many different 20 at present allotted turn out to be out there.

Whereas Moffat could be a shoo-in as one of many LKQ drivers ought to a take care of the Scot be confirmed, it’s unclear whether or not DeLeon and even Turkington could be within the different automotive to hold the corporate’s branding.

“We’re delighted to announce this thrilling new partnership with LKQ Euro Automotive Elements,” mentioned Bennetts.

“Their dedication to WSR reveals the large industrial worth of successful the BTCC and needs to be a message to any manufacturers aiming to increase their horizons that this collection offers an impressive platform to do it.”

Speedworks, who ran two Toyotas in 2024 below the LKQ banner and two as Toyota Gazoo Racing GB, has but to verify any drivers for subsequent season.

“Our purpose and push via the winter, apart from the apparent automotive improvement, is delivering on the driving squad,” Speedworks head of racing Danny Buxton informed Autosport.

“The indicators are very, very thrilling and, whereas we’ve obtained a number of bits of paperwork sorted, we’re somewhat bit away on finishing.

“There’s been an actual give attention to all 4 seats, and we’re working extraordinarily laborious to place the proper bundle on the market throughout the board.”

Rob Huff, the 2012 World Touring Automotive champion who gained two races this season with Speedworks in his first BTCC marketing campaign for 20 years, has already informed Autosport of his want to keep on for 2025.

“With Rob’s expertise and what he’s dropped at the crew, we’d like to see him proceed for 2025, particularly with the quantity of improvement we’re doing,” added Buxton.