Photo: EXCELR8

Jack Butel retains EXCELR8 drive

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Jack Butel will remain with the EXCELR8 team for the 2022 BTCC season after agreeing terms on a new deal with the Hyundai squad.

Butel joined joined forces with the team last season for his second year in the series having made his debut in 2020 with Ciceley Motorsport.

The Jersey racer matched his best finish with a 14th place finish at Knockhill and then took Jack Sears Trophy honours in the second Thruxton meeting.

Butel is the sixth driver confirmed on the grid so far who will be eligible for the JST – which continues to be for those drivers without an overall BTCC podium finish.

“It’s very exciting to be returning to the BTCC for a third season, and to be staying with EXCELR8 for another year,” he said. “After joining the team last year, I made huge steps forwards so it’s fantastic to now have the opportunity to build on everything I was able to learn in 2021.

“The fact that I know the car and the team – and they know me – is something that can only be beneficial, and I feel confident going into the new season as I aim to fight for the Jack Sears Trophy title.

“Having three amazing team-mates in Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Dan Lloyd means I will have a wealth of experience alongside me in the garage and that can only help me in my bid for silverware this season.

“I’m confident we’ll hit the ground running when we get to round one and although the new hybrid systems will be something we all have to learn, I’ve been thrown in at the deep end before in touring cars when I was called up for my debut season at the last minute, so I have experience of having to adapt quickly.”