MG6 BTCC driver line-up confirmed for 2018

Scottish driver Rory Butcher is to drive the second AmDtuning.com with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance MG6 GT for the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season, the team has confirmed.

Partnering series returnee Tom Boardman, Rory will embark on his first full season in the series with the West Thurrock-based outfit.

The 31-year-old made his debut in the series last season, when he was called up by the Motorbase team for the final four rounds of the year in place of Luke Davenport, who was injured in a qualifying accident at Croft. Despite no prior testing, Rory snared a pair of top ten finishes on his debut at Knockhill and showed impressive speed in the remaining rounds.

Previously, Rory has secured multiple race wins in the BTCC-supporting Porsche Carrera Cup GB, and finished second in the GT class of the European Le Mans Series.

Having sampled the MG for the first time during a test at Snetterton, Rory is set for further pre-season running ahead of the opening rounds of the season at Brands Hatch on the weekend of April 7-8. }

Reflecting on the season ahead, Rory said: “The BTCC is such a strong series, particularly this season, that it is hard to make too many predictions about what we can expect to achieve, but the team has shown what it can do in recent seasons and my goal is to regularly fight inside the points and push for some strong results as the season goes on.

“I didn’t imagine I would be racing in the BTCC 12 months ago, but there is no better place for me to be in terms of profile. The series is the very pinnacle of British Motorsport and I’m really excited about the prospect of a full season on track with AmD in 2018.”

Shaun Hollamby, AmDtuning.com team boss, added: “Rory is a driver who we have been talking to for some time, and we are delighted to have concluded a deal for 2018. His career record speaks for itself, and the way he performed last year when he joined the grid in difficult circumstances was hugely impressive.

“Since announcing the MG programme, a huge amount of work has gone into preparing and updating the cars and bringing in the drivers is the final piece of the jigsaw.”

With an interim colour scheme being used for testing, the MG6 GT that Rory will race this season will be revealed in its racing colours for the first time at the BTCC’s annual season launch at Donington Park on March 27.