Aron Taylor-Smith embarks on an exciting new chapter in his British Touring Car Championship career after today announcing a deal to join TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK from the 2025 season.
The Irishman joins the Speedworks Motorsport-run outfit fresh from being crowned Independents Champion at Brands Hatch last autumn, after a silverware-laden campaign including 20 class victories, and two visits to the outright podium.
Taylor-Smith’s consistency, as much as his speed and racecraft, also turned heads up and down the pit lane, with the 35-year-old the only driver to score points in each of the 30 races last campaign, no mean feat on one of the most competitive grids in world motorsport.
His reward is a seat in one of the team’s manufacturer-backed Toyota Corolla GR Sport challengers, one of the most successful touring cars in the modern-day BTCC, with 17 victories, 30 further podiums, five pole positions and 10 fastest laps since being introduced to the category in 2019.
It marks the latest exciting chapter in something of a career renaissance for Taylor-Smith, as he seeks to add to the four race wins, 22 podiums and almost 1,500 career points enjoyed over almost 300 race starts since making his BTCC debut back in 2011.
Pre-season testing alongside new teammate Ronan Pearson will begin in the coming weeks, ahead of the season opener at Donington Park on 26/27 April.
Aron Taylor-Smith, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK said:
“It’s an incredible feeling, to be stood here as a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK driver. To work with the world’s largest car manufacturer on the biggest stage in British motorsport was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and this is without doubt one of the proudest days of my career.
“When I met with Christian [Dick] and Danny [Buxton – Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport], it was clear right from the start that they’ve conducted a really exciting development programme over the winter with the Corolla GR Sport, which was already a proven race-winner and one of the most competitive packages on the BTCC grid!
“I’m hugely grateful to them for the faith they’ve put in me. This is an exceptionally motivated team, with some of the best staff in the business and a real ‘family feel’. Speedworks’ track record over the years speaks for itself, and I’ve been massively impressed with everything I’ve seen and heard so far – all the ingredients are in-place to make this a real success.
“Having spent the past two years trying to beat the manufacturer-backed cars, it’ll be a surreal feeling to be amongst them, but that just spurs me on even more to put on a show. I’ve only ever wanted a chance to fight for the overall BTCC title, and I firmly believe that joining forces with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK gives me the perfect platform and environment to create that opportunity.
“I have absolute confidence in the car, the team and myself, and I can’t wait for my first laps in the Corolla. There’s no reason at all why we can’t be pushing for podiums and victories this season!”
Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Árón to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK. It became evident from our very first conversations that he is a fantastic fit for Speedworks Motorsport, and vice-versa. His enthusiasm is infectious – and that is tremendously inspiring for the whole team.
“Árón has received a lot of praise for his performances and results over the past couple of campaigns – and justifiably so – and we absolutely believe that in the right car, he can be a regular front-runner and a contender for race wins. He is going from strength-to-strength and is well-placed to capitalise upon his current momentum. I genuinely believe we’re yet to see him at his very best, which is hugely exciting for us at the beginning of this partnership.
“It’s vital to never stand still in the BTCC, because the rate of development in the championship can very quickly leave you behind. Accordingly, we’ve been hard at work since last season to further hone and refine the Corolla GR Sport, and we feel we have taken further steps forward across the board.
“We’re thrilled to have a driver of Árón’s unquestionable ability in the team. We believe that his experience will be of inestimable value to Ronan, and that they will extract the very best out of each other. We have every confidence that both drivers will prove to be real assets and will help to drive us on to even greater success in 2025 and beyond.”
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