Triple Eight Announce 2016 Driver Line Up
Triple Eight Racing are delighted to announce the signing of Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton to compete in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 2016 in a works supported MG6.
MG Motor UK Ltd recently confirmed a new three-year contract extension with Triple Eight Racing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and shared their plans for a young and up-and-coming driver line up with an intention to grow a champion over the duration of the contract.
Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, commented: “MG Motor UK Ltd is proud to continue its association with Triple 888 Racing and BTCC touring cars for another three years.
“We are delighted that the team has once again been able to secure two young, ambitious, up-and-coming talented drivers for the 2016 season.
“We are proud to support the team as they develop fresh home grown talent and look forward to a successful season and many more to come.”
Josh Cook, former 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup Vice-Champion, made his debut in the BTCC in 2015 with Power Maxed Racing and Racing for Heroes. Josh quickly established himself as a star of the future. The rookie caught the attention of many within the Rockingham paddock after he achieved a pole position, podium position and fastest lap. Josh also clinched the victory in the Jack Sears Trophy.
Josh commented: “I’m over the moon to be working with a team and manufacturer that has such heritage.
“The introduction of the new RML components this season is bound to mix it up, and I’m coming straight off the back of a strong first season in the BTCC. I want to keep that momentum going and be competing for the top step from the first round. I have no doubt that the knowledge and experience at Triple Eight Racing will enable me to do that. This is an important step in my career, and I’m looking ahead to this season at being a Championship contender with MG and Triple Eight.
“I have worked extremely hard since the end of last season to get back to the grid – it was the only place I wanted to be. So I now have an important job to do to give back to the sponsors who have got me here. I’m 100% focused and will be prepared in every aspect, starting with my mental approach and fitness.”
Following in Josh’s footsteps graduating into the BTCC is current 2015 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion Ashley Sutton. Ashley first appeared on the BTCC support package in 2014, having raced for part of the season in the Formula Ford series. When he was announced for 2015 in the Renault UK Clio Cup, under the Team BMR Restart Pyro banner, it came with a great deal of optimism.
2015 was an outstanding year for Ashley racing in the Renault UK Clio Cup for Team BMR & Pyro Motorsport. In what was his maiden year in the series, Ashley was challenging the “old guard” as he and Ant Whorton-Eales ran side-by-side for race wins with the duo finding themselves out in the front in the early part of the season. Ashley took the title in a dramatic final round as well as securing his place as top rookie in the series and being presented with the Graduate Cup.
Ashley commented: “I am overwhelmed to have been given this opportunity as a manufacturer driver for MG with Triple Eight Racing in my first year of the BTCC. When we first joined the TOCA package back in 2014 I would have bitten someone’s hand off if they said I would be racing in the British Touring Cars in just two years’ time. It has been a dream to compete in the BTCC for a full season from a very young age. Over the past two years I have had some amazing support from my two main sponsors, Global Force Group and Select Fire as well as my manager Warren Scott. I can happily say I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of their efforts as well as mine. I will continue working with Warren behind the scenes as we have a great relationship.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of my MG6, the car has proven what it is capable of over the years. I have every faith in Triple Eight to deliver a race winning car as they have done over the years, so I will be putting in all my efforts to bring home some good results. This is going to be a big learning curve for me and with not much testing planned I have my work cut out for the year, but I feel I couldn’t be more ready for this challenge and I will grab it with both hands and give it my all. I can’t wait to get started and to get stuck in with the team, roll on round one!”
Triple Eight Managing Director, Ian Harrison commented “Naturally we are really happy to announce Josh and Ashley to MG Racing for 2016. Both of them are young chargers eager to build up their knowledge in this category. We know what they can do and hope to help them build their performance in touring cars throughout the season with pace and consistency.”
Photos Jakob Ebrey