Tuesday, February 07 2017

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship frontrunners MG has announced an all-new driver line-up of Aron Taylor-Smith and Daniel Lloyd for the 2017 season, which gets underway at Brands Hatch on 1/2 April.

Last year MG enjoyed a resurgence with young chargers Ash Sutton and Josh Cook, who were often in the thick of the action. Sutton also maintained the MG6 GT's record of wins in every season it has competed since the revitalised marque returned to the BTCC in 2012 with multiple champion team Triple Eight.

Taylor-Smith is one of the BTCC's most experienced drivers, having competed in over 150 races, and recorded his fourth win at Rockingham last year with the BKR-run VW CC. The 27-year-old has previously raced for Motorbase and Triple Eight stablemates Team BMR.

"It's a real shame in one way to leave BKR who did such an amazing job last year in their first season," said Taylor-Smith. "But now I am fully focussed on the 2017 season and excited to ensure I deliver the results that MG not only deserve but are capable of. I am pleased that many of my key team members who made 2016 so enjoyable are coming with me to MG/Triple Eight allowing us all to enjoy further success."

Team-mate Lloyd makes a welcome return to the BTCC having impressed in his short tenure with Eurotech Racing last spring. Despite a late call-up, he qualified the team's Honda Civic Type R on the front row at Oulton Park and Croft before being forced to quit due to budget issues. It's the 24-year-old Yorkshireman's third crack at the BTCC, having also made a one-off appearance in 2010 with Triple Eight.

"I'm really excited," commented Lloyd. "The majority of my racing has been rear-wheel drive so really looking forward to continuing to learn in the front-wheel drive car. I loved the BTCC last year during the three rounds I competed in; I was very keen to make a full return and am delighted to have got the opportunity with MG RCIB Insurance Racing.

"I made my BTCC debut as a one off with Triple Eight way back in 2010 when I was obviously very young at Croft; it will be great to be back within the team. I also get on really well with Aron; obviously Aron is very quick so I think we can bounce off each other."

Triple Eight boss Ian Harrison said: "I'm happy that these guys will deliver some solid results for the team. Aron is a proven race winner, and we know Daniel has the speed. With more BTCC race experience under his belt, he will be running at the front. The championship looks wide open this year with plenty of other changes in the line-up, and we expect to be right in the mix."

Tickets for all MSV rounds of the 2017 BTCC season are now on sale - for more information call 0843 453 9000 or click here.