Tech-Speed Motorsport have today confirmed that Paul O’Neill and John George will compete in the 2011 BTCC in a pair of Chevrolet Cruzes. The team had recently been seen testing at Brands Hatch, fuelling speculation that the duo would be switching to the championship-winning machinery this season.
The cars that O’Neill and George will race this season are those which Jason Plato and Alex MacDowall campaigned last season and which Plato took the overall drivers championship with.
“I’m over the moon that the deal has finally been done,” said O’Neill, who stands his best chance of winning races since the 2003 season. “In testing, the Chevrolet has been everything I expected from a title winning car and now I just need to make the most of the time available in the car before we get to Brands Hatch for the season opener.
“There is a lot of potential for us to explore in the Cruze, but this season we have to be targeting consistent top six finishes and race wins. We don’t have the big budgets of some of the top teams when it comes to the overall championship, but there is no doubt that my sights are firmly on fighting for the Independents’ title to reward Tech-Speed, Go Mobile and Sunshine.co.uk in putting the deal together.”
This season also presents an excellent opportunity for George to further improve on the back of arguably his best-ever season in the BTCC last year.
“Last season was my most competitive in the BTCC, and I’m hoping to go from strength to strength this year,” John said. “My initial laps in the Chevrolet have been good and it’s a well-sorted and precise machine, as you’d expect from a title winning car.
“It’s early days but we have a very good package for the year ahead and I’m hoping that I can be even more competitive this season and challenge for points at every round. Having a strong team-mate like Paul for another season is great and I’m really looking forward to racing with Tech-Speed and Go Mobile during the year ahead.”
Team Principal Marvin Humphries confirmed that the squad will be receiving support from multiple championship winning outfit RML and that he remains optimistic for the coming season.
“It’s good to be working with Go Mobile for the year ahead and also to be continuing our relationship with Sunshine.co.uk after the success we have had in recent years,” Humphries said. “It might take us a little while to get used to the new cars, but we are optimistic about our chances for the year ahead and are looking forward to working with RML, who have enjoyed huge success with the Cruze both in Britain and in the World Touring Car Championship.
“It’s too early to say how we will perform during the season until we see where everyone is, but with a proven race-winning car, we hope to be in contention near the front of the field.”
The team will be known as GoMobileUK.com with Tech-Speed, although previous title sponsor sunshine.co.uk remains on board. The cars will be seen for the first time in their full championship livery at Silverstone at the BTCC media day tomorrow.