Árón Smith: “Team BMR move will further my career”

New Team BMR driver Árón Smith says his decision to leave Motorbase Performance was not one he took lightly, but believes it was right to help further his career.

The Irishman was announced last night as team-mate to returning BTCC legend Alain Menu, and will pilot one of the team’s two Volkswagen CCs in 2014.

Smith will be looking to build on the one win and five podiums he achieved in the last two years with Motorbase Performance, in both S2000 and NGTC machinery.

Smith said: “I couldn’t be happier to finally get to announce our plans for the 2014 BTCC. Having witnessed first-hand the relentless work that Team BMR have put in during the winter I am wholly confident that we will be challenging for wins from the outset.

“Choosing to change teams was not a decision made lightly, however, the quality of my teammates proves how serious the team is about performing at the highest level and I feel this move is something that will help further my career.

“I have a quality car beneath me, a professional team behind me and arguably the best engineer in the business. This is my year to be at the front of the greatest touring car championship in Europe.”

Team principal Warren Scott added: “We are extremely proud as a team to have managed to secure such an incredible driver line up. To have Árón with us is a statement of our intentions for the coming season and beyond.

“Árón is an exciting young talent and has already shown what a class act he is with six podiums in his first two years in the BTCC, one of which being a race win at the Brands Hatch season finale in 2012.  So for Árón to be piloting one of our cars is incredible and we are very excited for the year ahead.”