Tech-Speed teams with Finesse for 2013

Tech-Speed has confirmed that it will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for the 2013 season having entered into a joint programme with Clio Cup outfit Finesse Motorsport.

The combined venture will field a Super 2000-spec Chevrolet Cruze for youngster Joe Girling, with the 22-year-old becoming the latest driver to sign up to compete for the Jack Sears Trophy.

Girling tested the Chevrolet, formerly raced by John George back in 2011 before being fitted with an NGTC-spec engine last year, at Donington Park over the winter and will run under the M247 Racing banner in deference to the internet infrastructure company that will act as title sponsor during the year ahead.

"It's quite daunting to be honest but it's obviously very exciting too," the former BARC Production Touring Car Trophy racer told the official BTCC website. "To be racing in the same events as the likes of Matt Neal and Jason Plato is a little surreal, but I'll be aiming to keep my head down and produce some decent results. I am not one to make bold claims and I'm sure it will take me a little while to acclimatise to it all, but I am confident in my own ability and the Cruze is also a very capable car.

"We're hoping to squeeze a day or so in after the official test at Donington Park. I did have a run in the car at Donington prior to Christmas but it was minus four degrees and to be honest it was hard to get a feel for the car. Hopefully, however, that will come with our test programme, so we'll be ready for the opening round of the season."

Tech-Speed boss Marvin Humphries said the new partnership with Finesse was a good move as a single-car team and said he felt confident his new driver would make an impression on track.

"Working with Finesse makes sense for us as a one car team," he said. "We believe the Cruze is still a very capable car, and are confident that Joe will soon settle in and find good results amongst the Jack Sears runners."