BTCC: Jelley completes Team BMW’s 2021 line-up

West Surrey Racing have today (17 February) announced the acquisition of BTCC-race winner Stephen Jelley, completing their triple-headed line-up in the process.

The news swiftly follows Team Parker Racing’s scheduled hiatus from the series in 2021, having partnered Jelley for four consecutive years.

Team BMW appear to have made an educated appointment in the Leicester-born racer, himself piloting the marque’s rapid rear-wheel-drive 125i M Sport since 2018.

In the late 2000s, Jelley also raced a 3 Series BMW, notching up two victories in the category before adding a third 10 years later in 2019.

Often showing great pace in short bursts and receiving more than his fair share of bad luck, Jelley will surely find consistency in WSR’s ever-reliable tin-top machine.

He joins forces with four-time BTCC champion Colin Turkington and recently affirmed Tom Oliphant.

Regarding the move, Jelley said:

“I’m thrilled to return to WSR as part of Team BMW for 2021. There were times over the past few years – even when I was winning and getting podiums in the 1 Series – that I wasn’t sure I’d have an opportunity like this again, so to say that I’m looking forward to the season would be a huge understatement.”

WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts said:

“We’re very pleased to have Stephen back at WSR and part of the Team BMW line-up for 2021. His performances in the WSR-built 1 Series over the past couple of years have shown that he remains a tenacious racer who performs best in rear-wheel-drive cars. Personality-wise, he fits in very well with the whole team as well as Colin and Tom so we’re very pleased with the strength of our line-up heading into the new season.”