28/10/2024 16:00
The team's name change comes after the Vertu Motors group, to which Bristol Street Motors is part of, announced that it is to consolidate its three main retail brands together to create a network of more than 190 outlets all operating under one name; Vertu.
The relationship between the Group and the team started in 2021, when the Bristol Street Motors name appeared on EXCELR8’s four Hyundai i30 Fastback N cars for the first time.
Three seasons as title partners followed which resulted in huge success on track, with the team recording 20 race wins and 52 podium finishes between 2022 and 2024.
Team VERTU will head into 2025 looking to maintain those levels of success, with the ultimate goal being to reclaim the title that was won by Tom Ingram back in 2022, with the 31-year-old having then finished as runner-up in the standings for the past two seasons.
Ingram will continue to spearhead the four-strong driver line-up in what will be his fifth season at the wheel of the Hyundai, and will once again be joined by one of the most experienced drivers in series history in the shape of Tom Chilton - who celebrated his 500th BTCC start during the final race weekend of the 2024 campaign.
Between them, Ingram and Chilton have secured 49 wins and 157 podiums during their respective BTCC careers. With that knowledge and experience – allied to the expertise of the EXCELR8 engineering team headed by Spencer Aldridge – the drivers have a crucial role to play during the new season.
The announcement of the new Team VERTU programme comes ahead of the start of winter testing, with Ingram and Chilton preparing to hit the track at the Trac Mon circuit on Anglesey to begin further development work on the Hyundai, which is already firmly established as one of the most successful BTCC cars of the modern era.
Further news on the driver line-up for the 2025 season will follow in due course, along with details on when the full Team VERTU race livery for next year will also be revealed.
“Our relationship with Bristol Street Motors over the past four seasons has been fantastic, and there is no doubting the fact that they have played a crucial role in the success we have enjoyed with our touring car programme,” EXCELR8 Team Owner Justina Williams said.
“We are excited that our relationship will continue into this new era, as Bristol Street Motors evolves into Vertu, and are proud to have the opportunity to build on everything that we have achieved together so far.
“With Tom and Tom continuing to lead our driver line-up, and discussions already underway with other drivers, we are excited about what the 2025 season holds under the Team VERTU name.
“We’re confident that not only will we be fighting for the championship title on track in 2025, but will also be able to do our bit to champion the Vertu brand to race fans across the country.”