Butcher returns to Motorbase
Reigning Independents’ Trophy Champion Rory Butcher will return to the Kwik FitBritish Touring Car Championship grid this season at wheel of a MotorbasePerformance Ford Focus.
The 32-year-old Scot made a huge impact in last season’s competition, taking fifth inthe overall standings. He claimed three outright wins and six podiums on his way tothe privateers’ trophy.
The rising BTCC star said the decision to rejoin Motorbase, the team where he madehis tin-top debut in 2017, was a dream come true.
“David Bartrum and Motorbase launched me on my British touring car journey,” saidButcher. “It feels like ‘coming home’ to go back to the team.
“There are some very exciting plans for the 2020 season and to be on the groundfloor of those developments really motivates me. I have tasted glory in theIndependents’ Trophy, which was a huge achievement, but my sights are set higher.I want more wins, and the overall championship is my aim.
“I know that I might not have the touring car experience of some of the guys outthere but I am working relentlessly to absorb all the information I can and pushmyself, and Motorbase, forward to go for the biggest prizes we can reach.”
Motorbase will enter its ninth season with the Ford Focus and Butcher’s signing,alongside that of returning driver Ollie Jackson, puts the Kent-based team on a firmfooting for the 2020 campaign.
“I’m delighted to welcome Rory back for 2020,” said Team Principal David Bartrum.“We have worked with Rory in GTs in the past and saw his abilities then, which leadto us giving him his BTCC debut in 2017.
“We’ve obviously kept a very close eye on his progression since then. Over the lasttwo seasons, he’s learnt a lot and has matured into a driver capable of achampionship challenge.
“With Ollie and Rory, we have a great pairing to work with and we’re confident goinginto the new season. I have quoted on a couple of occasions that Rory was only ever‘on loan’ and would be back with us one day.
“This year that has proven to be the case and we’re all ready to put the hard work into make 2020 a great season for Motorbase.”