Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt will spearhead Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s assault on Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship glory in 2021, after the team confirmed that the former Independents’ Champion and series returnee will pilot its pair of Toyota Corollas throughout the forthcoming campaign. That effort will be led by Butcher, who will make his 100th BTCC start in the opening race of the campaign at Thruxton on 9 May. “I’m massively excited to be returning to the BTCC,” confirmed Smelt. “And to be doing so with such a strong car and team is the icing on the cake. The BTCC is so ultra-competitive that you need more than a single season to get to grips with it all. “I really enjoyed my season with Speedworks in British GT and I followed the team’s BTCC progress closely, culminating in the opportunity to test the Corolla myself at Snetterton a couple of months ago.

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