AmDtuning.com has announced Rory Butcher will pilot the second of its recently-acquired MG6 GT machines in the 2018 British Touring Car Championship.
Butcher, who competed in the final four rounds of 2017 in a Motorbase-run Ford Focus ST whilst Luke Davenport recovered from injury after a qualifying accident at Croft, secured a best result on ninth on two occasions at Knockhill.
He will now contest his first full season in the UK’s headline tin-top series after agreeing the deal to partner Tom Boardman at the Essex-based outfit.
The 31-year old has already sampled his new machine at Snetterton and is expected to test again before the season opener at Brands Hatch on 07-08 April.
Butcher will also be eligible to compete in the Jack Sears Trophy for the forthcoming season by virtue of having yet to score a podium finish in the category.
“My move into the BTCC last season was all a bit last minute and I was thrown in at the deep end for my debut on home soil at Knockhill, so I was determined to try and get a place on the grid this year to build on what I learned from the final four rounds of 2017 and to start building a long-term BTCC career,” commented Butcher.
“In January, it looked like it wasn’t going to be possible but then I spoke to Shaun about the MG and with a lot of effort from the team and from my sponsors – who were eager to join me in the BTCC – we’ve been able to pull together a deal – which I’m absolutely delighted about.
“The BTCC is such a strong series, particularly this season, that it 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.
“Twelve months ago, I didn’t imagine I would be racing in the BTCC 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.”
Team Principal Shaun Hollamby is delighted to have secured the services of Butcher, and expects the team to put in a strong showing in both the JST and overall standings.
“Rory is a driver who we have been talking to for some time, and we are delighted to have concluded a deal for 2018,” said Hollamby.
“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.
“We have to give thanks to both RCIB Insurance and AutoAid for their support in putting such a strong driver line-up together and I’m confident that in Rory and Tom, we have a pairing is capable of picking up some really strong results on track. We want to challenge towards the front, and I fully expect Rory to be in the mix towards the top of the Jack Sears Trophy standings.”