Excellent news, also taken from Btcc Crazy
Today came the news which we were all anticipating since the turn of the new year as today Chevrolet announced that they would be entering a works team in the BTCC this season. Chevrolet will be fielding a two car line up with Jason Plato and Alex MacDowall driving the Chevrolet Cruze’s prepared by Ray Mallock Limited (RML).
The team have kept their main sponsors from last season and subsequently will be named Silverline Chevrolet for the 2010 season. The news comes just a day before the teams will be showcased at the Media Day at Brands Hatch which marks the first official test session of the new season.
“I always had confidence that teaming up with RML again last year would mean wins – the Chevrolet Lacetti of 2009 was a formidable piece of kit. Now in 2010 we have manufacturer support from Chevrolet, continued support from Silverline and a very exciting new car in the Cruze,” said Plato.
MacDowall will be making the step up from the Renault Clio Cup, following in the footsteps of the Team Aon driver, Tom Onslow-Cole. “To compete in the BTCC has been my goal for some time and it’s a great feeling to not only be entering the series this year but to being doing so with such a competitive and experienced team as RML is a great opportunity for me. I’m really excited for the season ahead – the Cruze has proven its pace and reliability in WTCC and from the initial test last week there’s no doubting that it will translate well in the BTCC. I’ve no doubt I’ll have a lot to learn in my first season, but with RML, the works-backed Silverline Chevrolet Cruze and the expertise of Jason, I think we’ll have one of the strongest teams on the grid.”
The team will be using the same car which is used in their WTCC programme which proved to be successful in 2009. ”The Cruze has already shown itself to be a superb racing car in the World Touring Car Championship,” said Chevrolet Managing Director, Mark Terry. “So the decision to enter it in the most high profile series in the UK was made much easier. We’re looking forward to an exciting season, and one that will raise the profile of both the Chevrolet brand, and the style and dynamic appeal of the Cruze – a car that has already proven to be a success both on and off the track.”
The teams first outing in the Cruze came last week as the team headed out to Oulton Park where both Jason Plato and Alex MacDowell got track time in the car.
The news comes just days after Honda Racing confirmed their intentions in the BTCC making Silverline Chevrolet the second official works team for 2010.
