Stephen Jelley to make BTCC return with Team Parker

Stephen Jelley will make a return to the BTCC grid for the first time since 2009 after agreeing a deal to race Team Parker’s Ford Focus this season.

The 34-year-old has spent the last seven seasons competing in sportscar competition in the likes of the Porsche Carrera Cup, British GT Championship and the Blancpain Endurance Series, and will take the seat that was previously filled by Alex Martin.

The deal will effectively see the two drivers swap seats, with Martin having announced last month that he was to leave the BTCC after two seasons to make a return to the Carrera Cup.

“It was always my aim to come back to the BTCC – I didn’t want to leave, but the finances weren’t there,” said Jelley.

“Team Parker Racing can have a long future in this category and I want a long future here too, so we are looking to build together. I haven’t raced a front-wheel-drive car before so there will be a big test programme ahead of the season to get me up to speed.

“As for my aims, I will wait to see where we are after the opening sessions before we can make a realistic assessment. We are just going to focus on our own performance first and foremost.”

Jelley makes his return to touring cars eager to try and better the seventh place finish he secured back in 2009 during his second season with West Surrey Racing.

It was a season in which the former British F3 racer secured the only two wins of his touring car career to date; with a brace of victories at Rockingham that would ultimately play a key role in then team-mate Colin Turkington securing the title.

“We are thrilled to have Stephen with us,” said Team Parker Racing team principal Stuart Parker. “He has driven for the team for four seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup in his career and he is part of the fixtures and fittings at the squad.

“We have had two great years with Alex, who was learning all the time. Stephen is a proven race winner at this level and, although he will be getting to grips with front-wheel-drive for the first time, he can help us move forward.

“If we can be challenging inside the top 10, and then who knows what can happen with the reverse-grid draw. This will be an exciting year for us.”