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Chilton, who this 12 months celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his BTCC debut, traces up alongside common title contender Tom Ingram, fellow new recruit Dan Lloyd and one different driver but to be confirmed on the Suffolk squad.
Will probably be the fourth completely different automobile in 4 seasons for Chilton, who has made 414 BTCC begins and took a finest championship end of third in 2018, the 12 months after he claimed an equivalent place on the finish of his six-year stint within the World Touring Automotive Championship.
The 36-year-old spent final 12 months on the helm of a Ciceley Motorsport BMW 330i M Sport, however professed to not adapting to rear-wheel drive as shortly as he would have appreciated, and has subsequently moved again to his pure habitat of front-driven equipment.
“I’m going again to what I do know with a front-wheel-drive touring automobile,” stated Chilton.
“There have been a whole lot of groups eager about doing a deal for this season in each the BTCC and elsewhere, however having spoken to Justina [Williams, Excelr8 team owner], it was clear to see how severe the group is about profitable – and that’s backed up by the sturdy business companions which might be in place.
“There’s a lot work that has gone into placing the best individuals in place, from the engineers behind the scenes to the drivers within the vehicles, and I believe we’ll all have the ability to work collectively to assist the group transfer forwards once more this 12 months.
“I’m notably trying ahead to working with Tom as I really feel he’s a fast driver who has an analogous driving model to me and with our expertise, and the velocity that Dan has additionally proven previously, I imagine we have already got one of many strongest line-ups on the grid.”
Chilton will be a part of Ingram and Lloyd on the Hyundai group subsequent 12 months
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Chilton additionally raced a four-wheel-drive automobile final 12 months within the electrical Pure ETCR collection with Hyundai, and feels that it will stand him and Excelr8 in good stead because the BTCC strikes to hybrid energy this season.
“The brand new hybrid system goes to combine issues up a bit this 12 months, however I really feel the expertise I gained final 12 months in ETCR is one thing that can give us a bonus,” he added.
“I used to be working with among the smartest guys within the enterprise and was in a position to study an enormous quantity that we will attempt to profit from this season, notably early on when everyone seems to be making an attempt to rise up to hurry.”
Williams stated: “Tom brings a whole lot of data to our programme for this season as we search to construct on the success we loved final 12 months, notably in the case of the hybrid system, as the way you handle that component of the racing goes to be key this 12 months.”
Chris Smiley continues to be tipped to remain on at Excelr8 for a 3rd season within the remaining seat, whereas Rick Parfitt Jr, who undertook his rookie BTCC marketing campaign with the squad final 12 months, has been linked with the ultimate berth on the Laser Instruments Racing Infiniti squad.
BTCC driver line-up up to now:
Laser Instruments Racing Infiniti Aiden Moffat, Dexter Patterson, TBA
West Surrey Racing BMW Jake Hill, TBA, TBA
BTC Racing Honda TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA
Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai Tom Ingram, Dan Lloyd, Tom Chilton, TBA
Motorbase Efficiency Ford Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Ollie Jackson, Sam Osborne
Workforce Dynamics Honda Gordon Shedden, Dan Rowbottom, TBA
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota TBA, TBA, TBA
Energy Maxed Racing Vauxhall TBA, TBA
Ciceley Motorsport BMW Adam Morgan, TBA
Workforce Arduous Cupra Jack Goff, Aron Taylor-Smith, TBA, TBA
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