BTCC: Butcher and Smelt form Toyota Gazoo Racing UK line-up

Toyota Gazoo Racing UK have today (27 January) announced that Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt will be the team’s double act in 2021.

The upcoming season is the first in which the squad will operate two Corolla touring cars.

The news comes after title-contender Tom Ingram split from the group in favour of EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars.

A healthy total of five podiums in the final six races of 2020 demonstrated the Toyota’s pace, and with two machines now under Speedworks Motorsport’s belt, silverware is likely to follow.

Scotsman Butcher has notched up an impressive six victories, 14 podium finishes, three pole positions and five fastest laps in his BTCC career, gunning for the Drivers’ title in the two most recent campaigns.

Series returnee Smelt has been plying his trade in British GT, piloting Speedworks’ Toyota GR Supra GT4, and has tallied multiple fastest laps and podium finishes throughout last year’s action.

Team Principal Christian Dick said:

“We’re all delighted to welcome Rory and Sam to the team for the 2021 campaign. We believe they represent the perfect blend of youth and experience and that they can help to drive us forward as we target all three titles for the first time in the BTCC.”

Rory Butcher said:

“I’m super excited about this new challenge. Moving to a Manufacturer-backed team has been a goal of mine ever since I joined the BTCC, and I have no doubt that this will give me my best chance yet of truly fighting for the championship. I feel hugely proud to be wearing and defending the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK colours and will give it my absolute all both on and off-track.”

Sam Smelt said:

“I’m massively excited to be returning to the BTCC, and to be doing so with such a strong car and team is the icing on the cake. It was always my objective to get back into touring car racing, because I certainly have unfinished business in this championship. It was a tough baptism in 2018, and I’m determined to show I’m capable of an awful lot more than what I achieved that year.”