BTC Racing’s Chris Stockton has confirmed that his team’s British Touring Car Championship entry has been sold to Power Maxed, part of the Automotive Brands group.
Stockton, who was an infamous giant killer during his first stint in the championship between 2006 and 2008, endured a somewhat trying campaign in 2014 with engine problems hampering the first half of his season, and although the reliability of the team’s Chevrolet Cruze improved considerably after the mid-season break, the 45-year-old was unable to score a point, securing a best finish of 18th.
And with a growing business to maintain alongside his BTCC commitments, Stockton has relinquished control of the entry to Power Maxed – who were BTC Racing’s title sponsor during 2014 – who have acquired all parts of the team’s assembly, with the sale and licence transfer having been approved by Series Director Alan Gow.
Chester-based Stockton will retain an involvement with the team, but believed the change of ownership was the right decision for all parties.
“I’m sad to be taking a backseat just as things are coming together,” said Stockton. “Unfortunately the old adage is true, you wait for a bus and two come along at once. My pallet distribution business is growing phenomenally and opportunities that just cannot be passed up on have been presented. It is just not possible to run a BTCC team, grow my business and race, and do all entities justice unfortunately.
“Automotive Brands and Adam Weaver personally have been incredibly supportive to the team and myself throughout 2014. I couldn’t be happier that the team I founded and managed is starting its next chapter in such good hands, on the back of a huge amount of recent developments I learnt during 2014, I am sure that they will be successful.”
Weaver, who owns the Automotive Brands group, was pleased that his company would be significantly increasing it’s involvement in the series.
“Having been involved in the BTCC for the past three seasons, owning a BTCC team is a great strategic move for Automotive Brands,” he said. “The team not only provides an ideal R&D platform for our premium range of products but the marketing benefit of being involved in such an iconic racing series is huge.
“We’re involved in many types of motorsport through our sponsorship development programme, however the BTCC is the pinnacle and will support our strategic marketing plans and further development of our premium products.”
The team had announced in late 2014 that they had purchased Aiden Moffat’s Chevrolet Cruze saloon having competed with a hatchback model last season, and will run their new acquisition in the forthcoming championship, although a driver is yet to be announced. The team are also eyeing a second entry, should the opportunity arise.