News : MG and Triple Eight stay in the BTCC for 2015

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Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director MG Motor, Ian Harrison, Managing Director Triple Eight Race Engineering and the 2014 Manufacturers’/Constructors’ trophy

MG Motor UK Limited has today confirmed that it plans to return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 2015 with the MG6 GT and continue the successful partnership with Triple Eight Race Engineering that saw MG lift the Manufacturer’s Championship title this year.

MG’s Head of Marketing, Matthew Cheyne, said; ‘I am delighted to be able to confirm that MG will return to defend its title as BTCC Manufacturers’ Champions in 2015.  The three-year programme to race the MG6 GT with Triple Eight has proved so successful both on and off track that there was little doubt we would return in 2015…”

The company’s BTCC engineering partner, Triple Eight Race Engineering, is working on an exciting new-look driver line-up for 2015, which will see the MG6 GTs re-branded and given a fresh look, courtesy of a host of new sponsors joining the team next year.

Cheyne, continued: ‘The MG brand is iconic and Triple Eight are the most successful team in the history of BTCC, as such together we are an attractive proposition and believe we will be in contention to defend our title next year. The BTCC has never been in such good shape and with a full grid containing a wide range of manufacturers and models, plus rising attendance and viewing figures, I am excited at the prospects for 2015 for MG, Triple Eight, our drivers, sponsors and of course our loyal and growing worldwide MG fan base.

‘The BTCC programme has been a key part in re-establishing the MG brand in the UK and also globally. It has raised awareness of the brand with TV, online and press coverage that is not only followed in the UK but also across the world. The MG6 GT race car was designed to resemble the road car as closely as possible and in addition to the on-track programme, we have also operated a very successful mobile showroom next to the track, so BTCC fans can see and touch the latest MG6 and MG3 products.”

Triple Eight Race Engineering Managing Director and co-founder, Ian Harrison, commented: ‘We’re very much looking forward to next year, our fourth with MG and nineteenth in the BTCC. Over the past three years we’ve taken more race wins than any other constructor and manufacturer, and next year we are intent on extending that run of form. There’s little doubt that 2015 will be even more competitive than this year as teams get a handle on developing their cars, but we’re confident we’ve assembled the right elements to take it to the other teams and ensure we’re in the mix by the end of the year.”

No news yet, though, as to who will be driving for the re-vamped MG/Triple Eight team next year but, with AUTOSPORT.com reporting that former MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save driver Sam Tordoff will be switching to a West Surrey Racing-run BMW 125i M Sport for 2015 and that “last year’s [Drivers’ Championship] runner-up Jason Plato is unlikely to stay on,” the BTCC rumour mill will be moving into overdrive.

Interestingly, AUTOSPORT.com has also reported this week that reigning BTCC Drivers’ Champion, Colin Turkington, who took the 2014 title with the West Surrey Racing BMW squad, is “talking to other teams for 2015.” Northern Irishman Turkington raced an MG ZS in the BTCC from 2002 to 2004 and then again in 2006 and so has some history with the marque…

Clive Goldthorp

7 Comments

  1. Bet they are waiting to see what Jenson does…….. I don’t think it would suit him to be honest but it would make big news.

  2. the only down point is that it is ONLY for one year, not the three they originally signed up for, I suspect they have been given some financial incentives to stay by the BTCC as the reigning manufacturer champion, and unless they get a fully fledged excellent driver, like Turkington, i cant see them holding onto that title for long.

  3. This car has to be the exception to saying “Race on Saturday buy on Monday”. I still dont see this car has taken off sales wise. Dealerships, where are they?

  4. Rumour has it that the millions they spent on entering the MG6 has been worthwhile as it increased sales of the MG6 by 20%.
    In 2014 so far they have sold 12 cars rather than the 10 they had sold at this point last year.

  5. Great news to see them return next year. My Mrs is gonna hate it though.

    I see quite a few 6’s round here so they mustve sold more than 12 last year, possibly 15-20?!

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