Mike Bushell not returning to the BTCC in 2016

Mike Bushell will not race in the BTCC in 2016, opting to return to the Renault UK Clio Cup with Team Pyro.

Having been unable to secure a top drive in the BTCC for 2016, Kent-based Bushell has made the decision to return to the Clio Cup, the BTCC support category that he was champion of in 2014.

“We put a lot into our BTCC effort in 2015 but a bad crash really set us back and actually had a knock-on effect for this year,” said Bushell. “Coming back to the UK Clio Cup gives me the ideal opportunity to regroup before looking again at touring cars. I’m sure some people will be a bit shocked but sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.”

Bushell competed in 2015 with AmD Tuning, but could only manage one top ten result throughout the year en route to 23rd in the championship standings. He missed the three Thruxton races after suffering severe ligament damage as a result of a high speed crash with Simon Belcher in practice.

The injury hampered Bushell’s season, unable to get to the pace he had hoped as he struggled with his injury.

The Renault UK Clio Cup will support the BTCC at nine of the ten events, with the one make series not making the trip north of the border for Knockhill.