MG Motor UK today announced it will enter the 2012 BTCC Series with a ‘dream team’ of cars, drivers, constructors and sponsors.
Two MG6 GT cars will run in the all-new MG KX Momentum Racing team piloted by Oxford's double BTCC champion Jason Plato and BTCC rising star Andy Neale.
The cars will be prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering, of Greatworth, near Banbury, one of the most successful constructors in touring car racing. And completing the ‘dream team’ are principal sponsors Tesco Fuels with their Momentum 99 brand and KX energy drink completing an all-British line-up.
MG KX Momentum Racing will debut at Brands Hatch on April 1 when the 2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC championship season gets under way.
The MG6 GT five-door fastback is the first all-new MG in 16 years. It is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK’s plant in Birmingham where final assembly also takes place.
Plato is the most successful driver in BTCC racing history with 68 career wins, with more fastest laps, pole and podium positions than any other driver in the history of the Series.
Plato said: “It’s really exciting to be involved in a brand-new all-British team and it’s just brilliant that the iconic name of MG will be back on the track.”
Guy Jones, MG Motor’s sales and marketing director, said: “We are delighted that the new MG6 will be seen by millions of fans in Britain and beyond and this continues the famous sporting lineage of the brand.”
Triple Eight, headed by Ian Harrison, which is based at Greatworth, just a few miles from the Silverstone race circuit, has more than 100 BTCC race wins to its credit.
BTCC series director Alan Gow said: “MG is one of motoring’s truly evocative names so its BTCC campaign will, I’m sure, really capture the public’s imagination.
"This high-profile return to the forefront of competition in the BTCC is also certain to prove highly effective in terms of marketing for MG and all of its partners, as well as delivering some great results for them on the track.”
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