British GT: Toyota Launches UK Young Driver Programme In Partnership With Speedworks

Speedworks Motorsport, the Cheshire-based team run by Amy and Christian Dick, has announced that it will be working with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe to launch the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme.

Speedworks Motorsport debuted in the BTCC Championship in 2011, scoring its maiden victory in 2016 when Tom Ingram won at Brands Hatch. The team went on to take its first Independent Teams title in 2017.

The team returned to the British GT Championship in 2020 with then-new Toyota GT4 GR Supra piloted by Sam Smelt and James Kell, the duo finishing 8th in the GT4 drivers standings.

Speedworks Motorsport has been working with TGR-E to define a UK Young Driver Programme. The scheme will be open to ‘competitors aged 25 and under with a background in GT racing who demonstrate the ability and motivation to forge a professional career in the sport.’

Successful candidates will not only benefit from access to the TGR-E Cologne facility and simulator, they will also be able to take advantage of the experience and advice of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing stars such as Mike Conway.

Speedworks Motorsport Team Principal Christian Dick is looking forward to developing the Young Driver Programme.

“It is an immense honour to collaborate with TGR-E to establish the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme, an exciting project that we have been working on for several months now,” said Christian Dick. “We have an excellent relationship with TGR-E and believe this new initiative can genuinely help discover and develop British GT stars of the future.

“This is a golden opportunity for initially one driver – and, moving forward, hopefully more – to significantly advance their career prospects through an association with one of the most prestigious and successful companies in global motorsport.”

Rob Leupen, Managing Director of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe, said;

“The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme is a great initiative to support up-and-coming British talent and we are happy to co-operate with Speedworks on this project.

“Christian and his team have a strong relationship with our colleagues at Toyota UK and participate in the BTCC under the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK banner so they are already part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing family.”

The first member of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme will be announced in the coming weeks. The 2021 Intelligent Money British GT Championship is scheduled to get underway at Brands Hatch on May 22 – 23