Butcher eyes BTCC title with Motorbase 31 | 01 | 2020
FIFER RORY BUTCHER, the reigning Independents Trophy champion, will return to the British Touring Car Championship grid this season. But the Scot will swap last year’s Honda Civic for a Motorbase Performance Ford Focus. And Butcher admits he’s now eyeing the overall championship. (Related: Butcher wins BTCC Knockhill thriller)
The 32-year-old from Kirkcaldy, took fifth in the overall standings in 2019 with an AmD Tuning Honda Civic FK2, claiming three overall wins and six podiums on his way to the privateers' trophy.
But the rising BTCC star said the decision to rejoin to Motorbase — the team where he made his tin-top debut at his home circuit of Knockhill in 2017 — was a dream come true.
“David Bartrum and Motorbase launched me on my British touring car journey, and it feels like ‘coming home’ to go back to the team,” Butcher said.
“There are some very exciting plans for the 2020 season and to be in on the ground floor of those developments really motivates me. I have tasted glory in the Independents Trophy, which was a huge achievement, but my sights are set higher. I want more wins, and the overall championship is my aim. (Related: Butcher bags first-ever BTCC pole position)
“I know I might not have the touring car experience of some of the guys out there, but I am working relentlessly to absorb all the information I can and push myself, and Motorbase, forward to go for the biggest prizes we can reach.
Butcher — who replaces the BTC Racing-bound Tom Chilton at Motorbase — will join the returning Ollie Jackson in the Kent-based team's line-up. And team boss Bartrum is looking forward to working again with Butcher.
“I’m delighted to welcome Rory back for 2020,” he stated. “We have worked with Rory in GTs in the past and saw his abilities then, which led to us giving him his BTCC debut in 2017. (Related: Butcher fired-up for Knockhill BTCC)
“We’ve obviously kept a very close eye on his progression since then. Over the last two seasons, he’s learned a lot and has matured into a driver capable of a championship challenge.
“With Ollie and Rory, we have a great pairing to work with, and we’re confident going into the new season. I have quoted on a couple of occasions that Rory was only ever ‘on loan’ and would be back with us one day.
“This year that has proven to be the case and we’re all ready to put the hard work into make 2020 a great season for Motorbase.”
Both drivers will kick off their campaign in the opening meeting of the BTCC season at Donington Park on March 28/29. Butcher will again be the start attraction when the championships heads to Scotland for its triple-header at Knockhill on August 29/30. (Click here for Knockhill 2020 BTCC tickets)
Related: Butcher bags first BTCC win of career
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Jim McGill