Photo: Power Maxed Racing

Michael Crees returns with Power Maxed Racing

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Former Jack Sears Trophy winner Michael Crees will make a return to the BTCC grid for the 2022 season after signing a deal with Power Maxed Racing.

Crees took JST honours back in 2020 with BTC Racing and had been due to remain with the Honda team last year before the two parted company on the eve of the new campaign.

The 38-year-old instead switched to the F1-supported Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with Parker Revs Motorsport before the removal of the round alongside the British Grand Prix brought his campaign to an early end, with focus then turning towards trying to make it back onto the BTCC grid

Having been linked with a number of teams, Crees will now pilot one of PMR’s Vauxhall Astras this season and said he was pleased to confirm his spot on the grid.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be back in the BTCC, so glad to finally get a deal done,” he said. “We obviously intended to continue last year and it didn’t quite go to plan, but now I’m hungrier than ever.

“I’m aiming for a strong season in the Vauxhall and have been speaking to the team over the last few years, but never quite managed to get the deal across the line – now we have finally done that.

“Obviously, I wouldn’t be on the grid without my amazing sponsors and the support team I have built around me, so a huge a huge thank you goes to all of them for their continued assistance.

“I simply couldn’t do this without the support of my wife Jodie and our two amazing children, as they have put up with a lot of phone calls and ups and downs but I’m glad we can focus on the job in hand now and all enjoy it!

“The Astra is a new car for me to adjust to, and there are obviously differences this year with the introduction of hybrid power, but I’m confident we can put together a successful season with the guys at Power Maxed Racing and we’re all looking forward to the challenge.”

Team boss Adam Weaver said he was pleased to welcome Crees into the squad.

“We are really pleased to eventually get Michael in our car,” he said. “We have been interested in him for a few years now. He is a great character on the BTCC stage and universally liked by all. I’m sure he will make the garage a fun place to be and that we can help him develop and secure the results we know he is capable of.”