Rory Butcher confirms 2019 BTCC seat 19 | 12 | 2018
FIFER RORY BUTCHER has confirmed he will contest the 2019 British Touring Car Championship. The 31-year-old from Kirkcaldy will drive a Honda Civic Type R for Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing. (Related: Butcher targets home BTCC success)
Butcher, who contested his 2018 debut touring car season with the team in an MG6 GT and will partner Yorkshireman Sam Tordoff in next year’s campaign, is confident the package will deliver podiums and race wins.
“You only have to look at the stats for the Honda in recent years to see how well it has performed and on paper,” the Scot said.
“There is huge potential for us to do some big things on-track in 2019. It’s a big step up for both the team and I, and I’m confident this package will give us a great chance of success.
“Certainly, I think it would be silly of me to not aim for podiums and race wins, and I’ll also be looking at the bigger picture of getting as many points on the board as we can to see where it leaves us come the end of the season.
“This year for me was all about gaining experience in the BTCC and learning the ropes after so long racing in GT cars.
“My aim was to build towards getting into a top package for 2019 to push forwards up the grid. I’m delighted I can do that and also stay with Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing to build on what we achieved this year.”
And Butcher — whose 2019 30-race season gets underway with the opening triple-header at Brands Hatch on April 6/7, and will contest his home round at Knockhill on September 14/15 — is delighted to be partnering Tordoff. The Englishman already has seven BTCC victories and 28 podium under his belt.
“It’s great to have Sam coming onboard and I don’t think I could wish for a better team-mate,” Butcher, whose new team-mate finished runner-up in 2016, behind the Scot’s brother-in-law Gordon Shedden, continued.
“We enjoyed some good races together when I was with Celtic Speed in the Carrera Cup, and since he moved into the BTCC he has shown himself to be one of the top drivers with his results on track.
“I’m sure he’ll be a great reference point for me and I think we’ll work together well as a pairing to push the team forwards.”
Related: Butcher confirms 2018 BTCC campaign
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Jim McGill