MG names Aron Taylor-Smith and Dan Lloyd for 2017

The Triple Eight-run MG team has announced the signing of Aron Taylor-Smith and Dan Lloyd in a new-look line-up for the 2017 BTCC season.

Taylor-Smith moves to the team having enjoyed a race-winning campaign last season with Team BKR, whilst Lloyd will embark on his first full season in the series having enjoyed an impressive stint with Team Eurotech last year.

Both drivers are well known to the Triple Eight squad, with Lloyd having made his BTCC debut with the team back in 2010 at Croft, and Taylor-Smith making his first appearance on the grid the following season at Knockhill.

“I’m happy that these guys will deliver some solid results for the team,” Triple Eight boss Ian Harrison said. “Aron is a proven race winner, and we know Daniel has the speed. With more BTCC race experience under his belt, he will be running at the front.

“The championship looks wide open this year with plenty of other changes in the line-up, and we expect to be right in the mix.”

MG Motor Head of Sales & Marketing Matthew Cheyne said he was also pleased with the new-look line-up, and took time to thank outgoing drivers Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton – the latter’s departure from the team having now been confirmed after Cook revealed he was to move on over the course of the weekend.

“First and foremost I am delighted to welcome Aron and Daniel both to the MG RCiB Racing team and into the wider MG family,” he said. “As all of our previous drivers have experienced, wearing the octagon on the front of your overalls gives you immediate support from a whole new fan base and we in turn look forward to welcoming those who have historically supported Aron and Daniel into the fold.

“The BTCC is obviously a hugely important part of MG UK’s marketing mix not just in terms of the huge television and trackside audiences but through the additional activations that we bring into our dealer network and events work.

“Triple Eight are really excited by the pace and potential that these two have on the race track but fully understand the importance of the work the drivers do with the brand off it. With everyone so positive and upbeat about the season ahead, we just can’t wait to get going and look forward to the formal unveilings on Media Day at Donington Park.

“I should finish by adding a note of thanks to the outgoing driver pairing of Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton. These guys really understood what it meant to represent MG on and off the track and are a real benchmark for Aron and Daniel on what we can deliver through the BTCC programme. We wish them all the best in their future efforts – except in the 2017 BTCC of course!”