New TCN Logo

Upcoming events:

New TCN Logo

Josh Cook in at Toyota, James Dorlin steps aside from race seat

Josh Cook will return to the British Touring Car Championship for the final three events of the 2025 season, replacing James Dorlin at the Speedworks Motorsport-run squad.

Cook’s move has been forced after One Motorsport, with whom he contested the first half of the season, withdrew from the championship in July.

He has since missed the Croft and Knockhill rounds of the championship, but will now return at the wheel of a Toyota Corolla.

- Advertisement -

It means Cook will no longer be eligible for the Independent drivers’ championship, but can instead look to improve on his 13th overall placing in the drivers’ standings.

It also marks a return to the Cheshire-based team for the 34-year-old, who raced with Speedworks in the 2024 season, yielding two race wins in the Corolla on his way to sixth overall in the standings.

Dorlin has stepped back from his race seat ‘by mutual agreement’, with the team insisting that the 26-year-old remains part of its long-term plans.

It marks the second time this season that there has been a change in the line-up for one of Speedworks cars, after Ronan Pearson left the team following the first four events, being replaced by Finn Leslie at Oulton Park and Max Buxton, who Cook is driver coach and mentor for, thereafter.

“Firstly, I would like to be clear that James is still very much part of the team, and he will be on-site with us in the garage at all three upcoming race weekends,” said Team Principal Christian Dick.

“It has been a pleasure to witness his progress over the course of this season, and he remains in our future plans.

“We jointly came to the conclusion that his stepping down would be beneficial to his prospects in the longer-term, in allowing him to focus fully on 2026, when we hope to see him return to the grid.

“We obviously already know Josh well not only from last year but also from recent events, where he has acted as a mentor to Max Buxton, who has been unequivocal about the positive impact that Josh’s input has made as he learns the ropes in the BTCC.

“His skill behind the wheel is unquestionable, and having already piloted the Toyota to the top step of the podium on more than one occasion, we are eager to see what we can accomplish together over the coming races.”

Cook explained that the deal had been a last-minute arrangement but he is confident of quickly getting back up to speed with the team and car.

“I’m really excited to be returning to the track in the Toyota,” said Cook. “It’s all come together quite last-minute, and I need to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everybody at Speedworks Motorsport for giving me this opportunity.

“I’m very much looking forward to working alongside the whole Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with IAA crew and my three new team-mates.

“It’s been a few weeks since I was last in a BTCC car, and the Corolla is now 55 kg lighter than when I previously drove it due to the removal of the hybrid system.

“There will inevitably be some initial set-up exploration to get it into a place where I feel happy and comfortable, but I know the team well and they know the car inside-out, so I’m confident that together, we can quickly get up-to-speed and begin pushing for some strong results.”

Dorlin acknowledged that stepping back from his race seat had been a ‘tough’ decision.

“I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Speedworks and Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with IAA set-up in the BTCC, but things haven’t worked out as we’d hoped recently,” added Dorlin.

“It’s been a tough decision for us all to take, particularly with the strong relationship we’ve built, but we feel it is more beneficial at this stage to step back and focus with the team on 2026, when the aim will be to challenge for podiums and race wins together.”

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Stay Connected

7,273FansLike
6,630FollowersFollow

Must Read

- Advertisement -

Related News

- Advertisement -