Edwards Gets Full Season Opportunity
Jade Edwards, one of the country’s top female racing drivers, will contest her first full season in the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, after BTC Racing today announced the 29-year-old has signed a ‘dream’ deal to complete the Brackley squad’scapacity three-car entry.
Marking a huge moment in her career, Northampton-based Edwards will team up with Josh Cook and Michael Crees at BTC Racing and, in so doing, will become the first female driver to embark upon a full campaign in the UK’s elite motorsport series since 2007.
Last year, Edwards made headlines with her well-documented debut in the BTCC during a one-off outing at Silverstone. Achieving two finishes from the three races, she is now determined to maximise the opportunity with BTC Racing in one of the team’s Honda Civic Type R FK8s.
Very much from a racing dynasty, following in the wheel tracks of her father Jim Edwards Jnr – a class winner in the BTCC – and grandfather Jim Edwards, Jade previously competed in the Renault UK Clio Cup where she placed seventh overall in 2019 and took a best racefinish of fourth.
During her car racing career so far, which began when Edwards contested Ginetta Juniors in 2006, she has participated in the British GT Championship in 2014 and 2015, piloting a Ginetta G55 GT4 and Aston Martin Vantage GT4 respectively, and also raced in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge.
“To complete our 2021 driver line-up so early in the year is wonderful news for the team; we can now prepare as one for the new BTCC season," said team principal Steve Dudman.
"I am absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to put a deal together with Jade for her to race her first full season in the series. 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.”
“For anyone who watched my debut BTCC weekend last year, they will know this is something I have worked very hard on for a long time," added Edwards.
"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 [Dudman] has been a man of his word, very loyal and trustworthy, and gave me this amazing opportunity – it really is what dreams are made off. 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."