Jordan joins MG and Triple 8

MG Motor and Triple 8 Race Engineering have today confirmed that 2013 BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan will join the MG works team for the 2015 campaign. 

Jordan, 25, will succeed Jason Plato as the team looks to defend its 2014 Manufacturer’s title, while Jordan will no doubt be looking to replicate his successful campaign from two years ago.

While his 2013 title came with the family-run Eurotech racing team, Jordan previously drove for Triple 8 in 2009, competing in a Vauxhall Vectra. Following Vauxhall’s withdrawl from the BTCC in 2010, Jordan returned to Eurotech, who began racing under the Pirtek banner, swapping his Vauxhall for a Honda Civic, a car that would see him crowned champion three years later.

MG Motor head of marketing Matthew Cheyne, said: “Defending the championship from last year and teaming up with someone like Andrew, who is obviously a great ambassador for the sport, but will also be a great ambassador for our brand, is hugely important.”

“He’s incredibly personable and dynamic. He is just an exciting guy to work with and he fits our demographic for our customer. When you look at our product, not just the MG6 but the MG3 too, Andrew and his generation are absolutely the sort of people we are aiming at; it fits so well. We want to defend the makes title, but going for the drivers title is key and with Andrew we have got the best chance ever.”

“By joining MG and Triple Eight, I can build something exciting for the future,” said the excited Red Bull-backed racer. “Joining this team gives me the best chance I will have of winning the championship again – it is as simple as that. I’m certainly looking further ahead than just the end of this year. There are many options for me here, and that is what makes this such an exciting deal.  I’m returning to Triple Eight with a lot more experience to try and lead the team to the championship; it’s a hugely exciting challenge.”

The 25-year-old brings with him backing from long-term sponsor, Pirtek, famous for its striking blue, yellow and red livery, which will now adorn the shapely MG6. The move will mark the first time Pirtek has been the headline sponsor of a fully-works supported car in the series, an opportunity that Jordan describes as ‘fabulous’.

Triple Eight Racing founder and Team Principal, Ian Harrison adds “There aren’t many people out there who can replace a driver like Plato. We looked around and Andrew was the obvious choice. His age, his profile and his speed – which goes without saying – make him a pretty straightforward choice; it was a bit of a no-brainer for us. We wish him luck this year, and I am sure we will be firing broadsides at each other throughout the season.”

Fans will be able to check out the Pirtek-liveried MG6 GT this weekend (10/11 January 2015) at the Autosport International event, held at Birmingham’s NEC where it will take centre stage on the Dunlop Stand (Hall: 6 Stand: 6440).