Multiple touring car racing champion Andy Priaulx will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this season after signing to drive for West Surrey Racing.
Priaulx, who won the World Touring Car Championship three times with BMW between 2005 and 2007, will drive WSR's BMW 125i M Sport, which won the 2014 championship in the hands of Colin Turkington.
Guernseyman Priaulx raced for Honda in the BTCC during the 2002 season, before switching to the European series with BMW. It was the start of a relationship with the Munich manufacturer that continues to this day.
The livery of his BMW was revealed at Autosport International at the Birmingham NEC yesterday.
This season Priaulx will dovetail his BTCC commitments with his duties as a works driver in the European Le Mans Series with BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS and four endurance races in the United States in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in a Turner Motorsport BMW Z4.
“I have the most amazing 2015 racing season ahead of me," said Priaulx. "In the BTCC the BMW 125i M Sport has already proved to be the car to beat in this ultra-competitive series and, after 13 years racing with the brand, I am really confident about what to expect in a championship that I consider unfinished business.
"Dick Bennetts’ West Surrey Racing team has an incredible string of successes to its name, including the 2014 BTCC title, and I can’t wait to work with all the guys there.”
Priaulx will partner former MG factory driver Sam Tordoff in the WSR team, with a third driver set to be confirmed imminently. The team will commence an intensive test programme before the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch on 5 April.
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