Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) race winner Aron Taylor-Smith will return to the series with Team HARD. Racing, driving a third brand new Cupra Leon.
Taylor-Smith last competed in the series in 2017 driving for the MG RCiB Insurance Racing team and took multiple wins driving the now retired Volkswagen CC.
In 2018, Taylor-smith made the switch to GT racing taking a class win in the coveted Blancpain GT Sprint Cup Series before competing in the British GT championship in 2019.
Looking ahead to re-joining the BTCC grid, Taylor-Smith commented: “I am back and more ready than ever!
“Watching from the sidelines this year made me realise how much I miss the BTCC. It’s a championship like no other and I was determined to get back on the grid for 2021. What I love about Tony is his passion to win, it’s refreshing to be around, and I already know that I will feel right at home.
The personnel that he has collected to join this project are amongst the best in the game, he’s done an unbelievably good job with the Cupra. I can honestly say that I have never been this excited to go racing, it’s going to be a great year!
“I actually want to thank both Tony and Warren for putting this package together for me, it’s a big deal to return to the BTCC and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in at Brands.”
Tony Gilham, Managing Director of Team HARD. Racing said: “I’m delighted to have Aron onboard with us for the 2021 campaign driving the all new Cupra Leon. He has proven race winning pedigree in the series and has always proved a match for any of his teammates in the past which include multiple champions.
“It was important to acquire a strong driver line up this year to help develop our new car and to have three top line drivers at this stage is a brilliant result for the team. Aron will be joining good friend Jack (Goff) once again after the pair were teammates in 2014. The fact that these guys have worked together before will really accelerate the development of the car and help get our season started on the front foot.
“All drivers including fellow teammate Glynn (Geddie) will take on an extensive testing programme before the season opener to allow us to provide them with the platform to maximise their potential and the capabilities of our new machinery.
“I have full confidence that Aron will quickly get back into the groove of driving of front-wheel drive touring car after spending a few years away in GTs. It’s shaping to be our most positive season to date.”
Making his debut in 2011, Taylor-Smith completed six full seasons in the series, the last of which was in 2017 with the MG squad. Four years later and he will be looking to pick up from where he left off and mixing it at the sharp end of the grid in 2021.