Alan Gow welcomes “iconic” Subaru to the BTCC

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow has welcomed new manufacturer Subaru into the championship, naming the marque as “an iconic brand”.

News broke earlier that Team BMR will enter the 2016 campaign with the Subaru Levorg Sports Tourer, the third estate to run in the BTCC after 1994’s Volvo 850 and 2014’s Honda Civic Tourer.

“We are delighted to welcome another manufacturer to the BTCC and particularly one with such an incredible motor sport heritage,” said Gow. “Subaru is an iconic brand with a huge following and its introduction to the BTCC is certain to excite our many fans both in the UK and around the world. No doubt Team BMR with its hugely experienced and talented driver line-up will make for a very successful partnership.”

The Levorg Sports Tourer will be developed under the watchful eye of Team BMR’s chief designer Carl Faux, with full support from Subaru and shall be powered by the Japanese manufacturer’s famed four-cylinder Boxer engine built to full BTCC specification.

“It’s an honour to be leading not only Team BMR’s first ‘clean-sheet’ car design and build, but to be able to do this with Subaru’s new Levorg model is a real privilege,” commented Faux. “Engineering challenges is what the project presents – a new car, new engine and all the new generation TOCA components require a methodical approach. Establishing a three-year programme means we can focus on getting the basics right early before developing the package further over the following years.”