Photo: PSP Images

Tech-Speed confirms Cruzes for O’Neill and George

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Tech-Speed Motorsport has confirmed their programme for the British Touring Car Championship 2011. The team is going to field two Chevrolet Cruzes for Paul O’Neill and John George.
“I’m over the moon that the deal has finally been done,” said O’Neill.

New title sponsor is going to be the mobile phone retailer Go Mobile while previous title sponsor Sunshine.co.uk remains as a team sponsor.

“It’s good to be working with Go Mobile for the year ahead and also to be continuing our relationship with Sunshine.co.uk after the success we have had in recent years,” said Tech-Speed chief Marvin Humphries.

The team has acquired the two Chevrolet Cruzes used by Jason Plato and Alex MacDowall in the BTCC last season.

“It might take us a little while to get used to the new cars, but we are optimistic about our chances for the year ahead and are looking forward to working with RML, who have enjoyed huge success with the Cruze both in Britain and in the World Touring Car Championship,” said Humphries.

O’Neill, who has driven the older BTC specification Honda Integra for the past seasons, is thrilled ahead of the season with the new cars.

“In testing, the Chevrolet has been everything I expected from a title winning car and now I just need to make the most of the time available in the car before we get to Brands Hatch for the season opener. There is a lot of potential for us to explore in the Cruze, but this season we have to be targeting consistent top six finishes and race wins,” said O’Neill.

The Widnes-racer finished ninth in the overall championship last year and fifth in the independents’ trophy. For 2011 O’Neill has got his sights set on the independents’ title.

“We don’t have the big budgets of some of the top teams when it comes to the overall championship, but there is no doubt that my sights are firmly on fighting for the Independents’ title to reward Tech-Speed, Go Mobile and Sunshine.co.uk in putting the deal together,” said O’Neill.

Team mate George finished 20th in the overall championship and 13th in the independents’ trophy.

“Last season was my most competitive in the BTCC, and I’m hoping to go from strength to strength this year. My initial laps in the Chevrolet have been good and it’s a well-sorted and precise machine, as you’d expect from a title winning car,” said George.