Here they are, the first official pictures of Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s stunning new Corolla for the 2021 BTCC season. Complete with its signature red, black and white Motul colour scheme. Lining up on the grid in a pair of matching Speedworks Motorsport-run cars will be former BTCC Independent’s champion Rory Butcher and seasoned touring car driver Sam Smelt. As the squad gets underway with pre-season testing at Donington Park ahead of a series start on May 8th, we catch up with team principal Christian Dick.
STRIKING MOTUL LIVERY FOR NEW TOYOTA GAZOO BTCC COROLLA
25.03.2021
Congratulations on the new livery, Christian. It looks amazing and we’re very humbled to see Motul’s brand featuring so prominently on the cars.
We’re delighted to show off the Corolla’s ‘new clothes’ for 2021! Since first gaining official BTCC ‘Manufacturer’ status two years ago, we’ve worked hard to foster ever-closer relations with Toyota Gazoo Racing and to now see not just one but two Speedworks-built touring cars in the brand’s signature red, black and white colour scheme is a very special moment indeed. I must also pay tribute to Motul and [official UK importer and distributor] Witham Motorsport for their ongoing support in stepping up to the role of “Primary Partner” this season.
You’re currently testing ahead of the BTCC season start. What are your expectations for the season ahead?
I have no doubt that the cars will look even better at speed, and we are all excited to go testing this week to try out everything we’ve been working on back at base over the winter months. We are quietly confident of taking another step forward with the Corolla this year, and once the action gets underway, we look forward to seeing the Toyota Gazoo Racing colours where they belong – right at the front of the pack.
Can you tell us more about the Motul/Gazoo relationship?
It goes without saying that we are delighted to extend our relationship with Motul and Witham Motorsport to what will be nine years by the end of 2022. A phenomenal amount of hard work has gone in to bring this all together – in what are obviously distinctly challenging times at present – and for that, I would like to thank everybody involved.
How much impact has Motul’s lubricants had in your racing success?
Motul is a world-renowned organisation with a strong heritage in the sport, having featured at the very highest levels in touring car, sportscar and motorbike racing, and its reputation for excellence is thoroughly well-deserved. We are all tremendously excited to embark upon the new BTCC campaign together and look forward to showing off Motul’s branding on our two Toyota Corollas over the coming months as its first-class lubricants continue to do the business underneath the bonnet. Motul and Witham have been loyal partners on our journey in the BTCC as we have developed from a midfield contender into a multiple race-winner and regular title challenger in recent seasons, and the outstanding performance and efficiency of Motul’s products has been a key factor in that progress. Both companies have become very much part of the Speedworks family.