Jade Edwards has been confirmed for a full season in the British Touring Car Championship in 2021, racing a Honda Civic Type-R at BTC Racing alongside Josh Cook and Michael Crees.
Edwards made her BTCC début in 2020 when she joined Power Maxed Racing for a one-off entry at Silverstone in the team’s Vauxhall Astra.
Now Edwards will become the first full-time female driver in the BTCC since 2007, when Fiona Leggate last raced with KWR Racing.
Team Principal Steve Dudman is pleased to have been able to agree a deal with Edwards with plenty of time to spare before the season gets underway in early April.
“To complete our 2021 driver line-up so early in the New Year is wonderful news for the team and we can now prepare as one for the new BTCC season,” said Dudman.
“I am absolutely delighted we’ve been able to put a deal together with Jade for her to race her first full season in touring cars.
“She deserves this opportunity and BTC Racing will endeavour to support her in every way possible, I know Jade will make the absolute most of it.
“We certainly have high hopes for what Jade can achieve this season with BTC Racing, especially after seeing her do such a professional job both in and out of the car on her BTCC debut last year.
“She’s a racer through and through and knows how to get stuck-in, which is what touring car racing is all about.
“I firmly believe we have one of the most exciting and equally balanced entries on the grid with Jade alongside Josh and Michael. We just cannot wait for the season to begin.”
Edwards follows in the footsteps of both her father, Jim Edwards Jnr – a class winner in the championship, and her grandfather, Jim Edwards Snr.
“For anyone who watched my début BTCC weekend last year, they will know this is something I have worked very hard on for a long time,” said 29-year-old Edwards, who was seventh overall in the 2019 Renault Clio Cup.
“The plan for that one weekend was always to make it onto the grid full-time. I have worked with the BTCC and BTC Racing over the last year, giving my support and being a real advocate for the team.
“Over the winter Steve has been a man of his word, very loyal and trustworthy, and gave me this amazing opportunity – it really is what dreams are made of.
“It’s been my dream to race in touring cars properly, not just a one off. Steve and all the team at BTC have made this happen and I am so grateful to them all for the support. I really cannot tell you how excited I am about the season ahead.”