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Richard Williams in a Lexus

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Richard Williams has confirmed he will make his MSA British Touring Car Championship debut with the SpeedEquipe team in its first BTCC season in 2005. And, after tasting race-winning success for SpeedEquipe in the BTCC’s-supporting Renault Clio Cup in 2004, Williams has boldly predicted that the team will emerge as one of the best in the championship.

Williams will race SpeedEquipe’s unique Lexus IS200. The car is currently being built in SpeedEquipe’s factory to ‘Super 2000’ specification, the team taking advantage of the BTCC’s new ‘local homologation’ regulations.

Williams said: “I’m really looking forward to the prospect of racing in the BTCC with SpeedEquipe and the Lexus. Both the team and car have a lot of potential and I’m hoping to benefit from the working relationship I already have with the team. It is the best team in the Clio Cup and it won’t be long before they are amongst the best in the BTCC.”

SpeedEquipe team manager Dave Older added: “It’s great for us to take Richard with us into the BTCC. Working with Richard during 2004 proved to us what a real talent he is. Also we have always hoped to be able to create a career ladder for drivers within the team, so signing Richard gives us the best of both worlds.”

In what will be a development season for SpeedEquipe, Older also confessed that his outfit remains hopeful of fielding a second Lexus later in the season ahead of a full two-pronged attack in 2006.