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Simon Belcher confirms he is continuing in the BTCC for 2015

By MJP Media | 14 November 2014

Simon Belcher has today confirmed that he will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for a second season in 2015 with Handy Motorsport at the wheel of the team's Toyota Avensis.

Simon Belcher at the wheel of the 2014 Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis
Simon Belcher at the wheel of the 2014 Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis

Belcher is aiming for a steady improvement in the ultra-competitive BTCC with the Swindon driver determined to build on the good first season he had in 2014 where he achieved several top 20 results and finished 11th in the Jack Sears Trophy. In recent weeks, Wiltshire-based Handy Motorsport has been looking at various driver options for its second season in Britain's premier motorsport series including talks with two experienced multiple BTCC race winners before deciding that Belcher was the best option in the driving seat.

"I am delighted to be back on the BTCC grid for a second season and being able to announce our return so early should put us in the strongest possible position for 2015", said the 40-year-old. "We had a fantastic time in the championship this year. It was such a good experience and so much better than we ever expected. We haven't finalised all of the plans yet, but it is all coming together and I am targeting considerable improvements next season where we will also be strengthening our engineering team which should help us push forward and move further up the grid."

Handy Motorsport launched their team at the 2014 Autosport International Show
Handy Motorsport launched their team at the 2014 Autosport International Show

As well as retaining Belcher for its second year in touring cars, Handy Motorsport also confirmed that it will continue to work in collaboration with Speedworks Motorsport after enjoying a very beneficial partnership in 2014. Christian Dick's Speedworks outfit was a pioneer with NGTC when first introduced and with hugely experienced staff the extension of the relationship makes logical sense according to Belcher - especially with Speedworks running a sister Toyota Avensis.

"Handy Motorsport and Speedworks worked very well together this year, Christian runs a great team and I am personally delighted to continue our partnership," he added. "With such terrific continuity, hopes are high we can really make the most of it and start to climb the order in the BTCC. There's a lot of hard work ahead, but we can't wait to get started."

Handy Motorsport are looking forward to another season with Simon Belcher
Handy Motorsport are looking forward to another season with Simon Belcher

Handy Motorsport is currently planning an extensive package of improvements for its Toyota Avensis which the team will back-up with a full testing programme in the New Year during the build-up to the opening event of the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season on 4th/5th April at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent.

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