James Kaye joins AmD Tuning for 2013
AmD Tuning has confirmed that James Kaye will drive for the team this season in the British Touring Car Championship, driving the team’s Volkswagen Golf in the Jack Sears Trophy for Super 2000 cars.
This will be Kaye’s first time in the BTCC since the end of 2010, when he drove a Honda Integra for his own team WRC Developments with Barwell. Kaye’s plans to return in 2011 didn’t come to fruition, but Kaye has kept himself busy competing in a number of endurance races in recent years.
Kaye is a veteran of the BTCC, first driving in the Championship back in 1992, and a regular front-running independent driver in the Championship with more than 280 starts to his name.
“It’s a few years since I last competed in the BTCC, but I’m delighted to have the chance to make a return this season,” said Kaye. “I’ve known Shaun for quite a few years now and it’s great that we have been able to do a deal that will see me in the Volkswagen this season.
“We know that we won’t be running at the front of the field against the NGTC cars with the rules as they are for this season, but I think we have a good package amongst the Jack Sears Trophy runners and even though I’ve not been on the grid for a while, I’m confident we’ll quickly be up to speed and right in contention for honours amongst the S2000 cars.”
Kaye’s signing for the full season is part of the small team’s biggest programme to date. The team are developing an NGTC car based on the Vauxhall Astra for competition in the final half of the season, and could also field the final Ford Focus ST of Motorbase Performance in the S2000 class.
“If the right person comes along, we could run the Ford this season as part of a two-car BTCC programme,” said Team Principal Shaun Hollamby, “and we’d be keen to speak to anyone who is interested in getting on the grid this season about what we can offer.”
Motorbase will run one of the S2000 Focus STs themselves for Liam Griffin, whilst the other car will be entered by Welch Motorsport for David Nye.
