Photo:

Ronan Pearson secures BTCC return with Speedworks Motorsport

By

Ronan Pearson will return to the British Touring Car Championship this year after being named as the first driver in Speedworks Motorsport’s 2025 driver line-up.

The Scotsman will race under the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK banner in one of four Toyota Corolla GR Sport machines that the Cheshire squad are planning to field for the forthcoming campaign.

Pearson stepped up to the UK’s premier motorsport series from the MINI CHALLENGE in 2023 with EXCELR8 and remained with the squad for a second consecutive season last year, claiming a maiden victory at Brands Hatch.

However, prior to the second Donington Park meeting he parted ways with the team with immediate effect, missing the final three events of the year.

Now back in the BTCC on a full-time basis, the 23-year-old is relishing the prospect of fighting for more honours.

“When an opportunity to join a manufacturer-backed team presents itself, you have to give it proper consideration and I feel really proud to be representing the world’s number one car brand on the biggest stage in British motorsport – it’s a dream for any young driver,” said Pearson.

“Toyota’s input on the technical side is immensely valuable, and you only have to look at what Speedworks has accomplished in the series over the years to appreciate the level of experience inside the team; that kind of knowledge plays a big part in success in the BTCC, and it’s incredible to have access to so much expertise.

“At the same time, Speedworks has always been a close-knit, family-run team at heart, and their passion and drive to win mean a lot to me – that’s the main reason why we do this, after all. Everybody in the team is pushing in the same direction and very hungry to succeed. I’ve got some really good people around me, and the fact that both Christian [Dick] and Danny [Buxton – Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport] are former racers themselves makes a huge difference, because they genuinely ‘get it’.

“Driving the Corolla for the first time really backed up my decision. I felt at home pretty much straightaway and settled in really quickly. I think that showed in the lap times, even if they weren’t the main goal given it was a cold day in October, so that was a really positive start.

“Ultimately, I want to be in the BTCC for the long-term. What I’ve learned over the past couple of seasons – both on and off-track – has shaped me into the person and driver I am now, and I feel much more established in the championship and ready to grasp this opportunity with both hands. I really think we could be onto something here…”