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BTCC 2019: Sam Tordoff switches to AmDTuning to drive Honda Civic

The 2016 title runner-up Sam Tordoff has joined the AmDTuning.com squad for the British Touring Car Championship next season, and he will line up alongside Rory Butcher

Tordoff took a year out of the BTCC in 2017 to contest the British GT Championship, but returned to tin-tops this season and drove a Motorbase Performance Ford Focus RS. He took a victory at Silverstone on his way to 11th in the overall standings.

AmD acquired its two Honda Civic Type Rs, the FK2 version of the car that Tordoff and Butcher will drive, from Eurotech Racing at the end of the 2018 campaign.

Tordoff said: "I'm sure there will be some people who are surprised by this move and while there is some appeal in going into 2019 as an underdog, the reality is that I have one aim and that is to fight for the championship title.

"AmD have put a lot of investment into not only getting the cars, but in strengthening the team behind the scenes to move to the next level and there can be no excuses.

"The Honda was on pole for the final round of 2018 and won races, so we have to be aiming to do the same from the outset and I'm confident we can raise a few eyebrows when the season gets underway - and will only get stronger as the year goes on."

Butcher, 31, drove with AmD with his first full BTCC campaign this year at the wheel of an MG6 GT. He took a best result of two sixth places among his 10 top 10 finishes.

Butcher, who is the brother-in-law of three-time BTCC champion Gordon Shedden, said: "You only have to look at the stats for the Honda in recent years to see how well it has performed and on paper, there is huge potential for us to do some big things on track in 2019.

"I think it would be silly of me to not aim for podiums and race wins."

Team boss Shaun Hollamby said he was delighted to have landed a proven race winner into the reworked team for 2019.

"To bring in a driver of the calibre of Sam is fantastic for us and we are expecting big things from him at the wheel of the Honda," said Hollamby.

"He brings experience from running with three of BTCC's top teams and is a proven race winner.

"He is also well aware of what needs to be done to build a championship challenge.

"We knew when we brought Rory on board this year that he was a top quality driver and his performances in the MG were outstanding.

"He fitted in with the team immediately and keeping him for a second season was a priority."

Confirmed 2019 BTCC drivers so far

AmDTuning.com Honda Civic Type R - Sam Tordoff, Rory Butcher
Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes-Benz A-Class - Daniel Rowbottom
Excelr8 Motorsport MG6 - Rob Smith
Simpson Racing Honda Civic Type R - Matt Simpson
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Corolla - Tom Ingram
Team Hard VW CC - Mike Bushell, Carl Boardley, Bobby Thompson, Michael Crees
Trade Price Cars Audi S3 - Jake Hill
WSR BMW 125i M Sport - Tom Oliphant

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