Andy Wilmot is looking forward to making a return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with Welch Motorsport.

Andy will be teammate to Dan Welch as they look to take on the teams at the front of the grid and show just how talented they are.

It is the culmination of a few months of hard work for the 34-year-old as he prepares for his first full season in the premier racing series.

Speaking to Kent Sports News, he said: “I’m relieved that the announcement has been made as it’s been hard work keeping quiet and also when talking to sponsors you can’t tell them too much just in case it leaks before it’s released, it becomes hard to secure deals so now it’s out it becomes easier.”

For Andy it is a realisation of a dream that has kept him going through the last few years, which is now starting to pay dividends.

He added: “I’ve wanted to race in the BTCC from when I was a child, I actually didn’t think it would happen but it’s always been a goal.

“Anyone who races in tin tops at club level also aspire to race in BTCC but no matter how experienced you are in club events when you jump in an NGTC BTCC car the experience goes out the window and you have to learn all over again as these are completely different animals. The build is like no other race car out there currently, it handles very different to anything I’ve ever driven.”

Andy actually had a few options coming into the closed season for his 2015 drive which is a nice place to be, knowing that other teams are interested.

“I originally was in talks with another team about BTCC 2015 but the deal was not done in time and it was snapped up from under me so I went in search of a close friendly family run team and I found Welch Motorsport.

“I know they had a tough year in 2014 but they had a huge following and crowd support. We had a discussion regarding how the team was moving forward in to 2015 and I felt happy with our discussion and that I would fit in well with the team.”

Now the announcement has been made it is time for Andy to focus on getting out on track and getting used to the car he will be driving next season.

He said: “We have four test dates to complete to decide on engines and to get me used to the car. The dates are not confirmed as yet but testing will start in January.”

The season gets underway at Andy’s home track of Brands Hatch and he just can’t wait to get going now.

He added: “Brands is my local circuit and I love it there but it’s not the circuit I perform my best at (we all have our favourites). During my first season I am not going to set the bar too high, I literally would like to just score points and learn as much as I possibly can.

“I am looking forward to the full season after a hard 2014 of campaigning to achieve my goal. I know it will be worth it and the large live crowds and TV audience is great exposure for sponsors.”

Pictures courtesy of Emailmovers