Latest BTCC news round-up

The Houseman Racing Avensis will have a new driver in 2015 (photo by Marc Waller)Houseman Racing have signed Stewart Lines to drive their Toyota Avensis this season, replacing Lea Wood who is moving into a team management role.

Lines is backed by Maximum group.net and joins the team for his Rookie season in the BTCC. Former driver Lea Wood will be involved in getting him up to speed and into as competitive a position as possible. Wood is already full of praise for the new driver;
“Stewart is a very competent racing driver and is experienced in one make saloon car championships. This will help tremendously in his adaptation to the Avensis. We are very excited to be working together in 2015.”

Lines has a lot of racing experience in the Mini challenge, Clio Cup, Vag Trophy and the Volkswagen Racing Cup. Before his car racing years, he was a successful Motocross rider. He is looking forward to his debut season;

“I’m thrilled to sign for Houseman Racing and to be part of the BTCC. I know I’ve got a steep learning curve to get used to the unfamiliar NGTC machinery, but I’m confident that with some good solid track time, I will soon adapt to the new car and prepare to race in this illustrious championship.”

Houseman Racing team principal, Rob Houseman is full of positivity on the upcoming season;

“We are thrilled to sign Stewart for our 2015 BTCC campaign. Stewart has a great history in competitive motorsport and is focussed on working hard with the team to get up to speed and be competitive quickly. We’ll aid his development as a driver and aim to get him working in a structured, methodical way that is important in delivering a consistent result within the BTCC. We are also excited to welcome on board Maximum Group.NET as a commercial partner for this year. The communications company based in the Midlands supply voice and data solutions for businesses of all sizes and will carry their branding on our race car this season.”

Neal and Shedden at the Launch in 2014 (photo by Marc Waller)In other news Honda Racing have confirmed that Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will continue to drive for them in 2015. The drivers themselves had confirmed this at the Autosport show in January but this is the first time that Honda themselves have officially confirmed it. Their all new Honda Civic racers will be unveiled on 24th March at the championship’s launch and media day.

Philip Crossman, Honda Uk managing director spoke about the forthcoming season;

“We are delighted to re-confirm ‘Flash’ and Matt for a sixth season at Honda Racing, they have demonstrated time and again that not only are they ultra-committed racers and proven winners – champions, indeed – but also that they are consummate team players. Their strong working relationship will be pivotal over the coming months as we seek to reclaim the manufacturers’, teams’ and drivers’ crowns for Honda – and we can’t wait to show off the new car in which they will take to the track in 2015.”  By Marc Waller

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