By Mick Palmer

Power Maxed Racing has revealed that the team will be entering a third driver into the British Touring Car Championship for 2023.

The Bidford based outfit has acquired a TOCA licence from Team HARD and will announce a third driver to join the already confirmed Andrew Watson and Árón Taylor-Smith next week.

A new shell is being built up to be run from their Warwickshire base to join the two current chassis that are in use – introduced in 2017 and 2021 (with the second 2017 chassis retired.)

Team boss Adam Weaver said: “It was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We’ve had plenty of driver enquiries and a big enough premises and all the kit to run another car. The economies of scale made it viable and helps further secure our long-term future in the BTCC. The timing was just right as we have developed many staff over the years from apprentices to engineers, and it gives them the ability to step up and take on more responsibilities and continue their career growth. Therefore, we are all looking forward to fielding three cars in the BTCC for the very first time.”

Previous incumbents Michael Crees and Ash Hand, and development driver Jac Constable are understood not to be the drivers in consideration. Crees recently stated that: “I’m still very much on the market unfortunately for one reason and another but still open to talks in BTCC, TCR or the world of GT Racing.”

Hand stated that he was remaining with the team this year to support, but not race with, their BTCC effort. Constable – who was pipped to the 2022 drive by Hand is campaigning a Generation 2 Audi RS3 LMS in TCR UK with Rob Boston Racing.