Shedden switches to WTCR with Audi for 2018

Three-time British Touring Car champion Gordon Shedden will race for Audi in the inaugural World Touring Car Cup season in 2018.

Shedden, who claimed the BTCC title in 2012, 2015 and 2016, announced last month he would be leaving after 12 years in the category. 

The Scot contested the final round of the TCR International Series last year, claiming pole position and a second place finish in Dubai, as speculation swirled that he might walkaway from the BTCC in favour of a move to the new WTCR world cup. 

Shedden will drive an Audi RS4 LMS and partner reigning TCR champion Jean-Karl Vernay at the Belgian WRT Racing squad.

“The switch to WTCR was quite unexpected but comes at a perfect time in my career,” Shedden said. “I had a fantastic time in BTCC winning three Championships and becoming only the third Scottish driver to win the championship alongside Jim Clark and John Cleland.

“The Audi RS 3 LMS is a phenomenal piece of kit. The RS3 saloon is a ‘global’ car, compared to the many ‘hatchbacks’ competing. It has a unique silhouette which makes it instantly recognisable. 

“Meanwhile WRT is a very successful team with a long and flourishing partnership with Audi Sport and its customer racing division. They’ve won the Spa 24Hrs and the Bathurst 12Hrs in the GT3 category and so for me it was a very logical decision to join.”

The news follows the Team Dynamics Honda squad's announcement earlier on Thursday that two-time Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion Dam Cammish will fill Shedden's vacated seat alongside Matt Neal for the 2018 BTCC season.