Andrew Jordan reveals 888 move was first discussed last June

The seeds of Andrew Jordan’s deal with Triple Eight Racing were sown at Oulton Park last season, the 2013 BTCC champion has revealed.

It was announced on Wednesday that Jordan would be switching from his family-run Eurotech Racing team to the works-backed MG squad for 2015, after signing a one-year deal.

An excited Jordan officially unveiled the livery with Triple Eight boss Ian Harrison at the Autosport International Show yesterday, and said the duo first discussed the possible move at the fourth round of last season.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes at the show, Jordan said the time was right to switch from Eurotech given the changes taking place there – which have included Jeff Smith returning as driver, and buying shares in the team.

Jordan said: “It came down to what was going to be the best option, whether it was emotional or not. I’ve had some great times with Eurotech and won the championship there, but going forward it’s not going to be Eurotech as it was.

“It’s not going to be the family team, I’m not going to be involved with it, Dad’s hardly going to be involved with it. So the time was right, not to take anything away from what we did together.

“It’s a new chapter. A few people have said they’re surprised I’m moving away from the family team, but you can’t stay there forever. I had to look at the best option, simple as that.”

The move sees Jordan return to familiar territory, and to a team he first raced for in 2009. Triple Eight was running the works VX Racing squad for the final time, and the then 19-year-old was in his second year of touring car racing.

He said: “I knew them from 2009 and obviously I’m a lot different to then. I’m looking forward to going back and taking what I’ve learnt with me about the Honda.  It’s exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.

“It came down to what I thought was going to give me the best chance of winning the championship. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was going to be a competitive package.

“I’ve taken my race engineer and number one mechanic, and I know Ian [Harrison] very well, so I don’t think there’s going to be a feeling out process. I go to the first test day with the view of being right on it straight away.

“A lot of people say they’re excited at this time of year, but I really am. It’s a new way of life.”

Looking ahead to the season, Jordan gave his take on the rule changes, and his competition for the 2015 crown.

He said: “I think the rear-wheel drive cars are going to get pegged back a little bit. This [MG] was the fastest front-wheel drive car last year, and we’ve just got to make it a bit quicker.

“The grid is always going to be strong, and Andy Priaulx coming in is fantastic. But we saw last year with Fabrizio [Giovanardi] and Alain [Menu] coming in, it is hard. They are hard cars to get a handle on, and they are quite heavy for what they are.

“It’s good to have these people coming in, don’t get me wrong. But I expect it to be the usual guys that you’re fighting, and consistently watching to see if you’re outscoring.”