Welch, Maximum Motorsport join forces

Welch Motorsport and Maximum Motorsport are to join forces for the remainder of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season after entering into a new partnership ahead of this weekend’s fourth round of the year at Oulton Park.

The agreement will see the Ford Focus of Stewart Lines being prepared and run by the Welch Motorsport team alongside Dan Welch’s Proton Gen-2.

However, Lines will compete under the Maximum Motorsport banner using his own TOCA BTCC Licence.

“This season has been tough so far and I felt we needed to do something to improve things,” Lines said. “Last year was difficult with an uncompetitive car and I expected more with the switch to the Focus. Whilst I have been quicker, it’s not been good enough as the new RML kit means things have moved on.

“We tried it on our own but the reality is that we needed to be with a team that has experience of touring cars and in partnering with Dan, it’ll be good to have a team-mate who I can work with. The fact we are both running the GPRM parts means we can work together on set-up – even though we have two different cars – and I’m confident that it will see my results improve.

“It also means I can now focus on my driving and not have to worry about running the team which can only help going forwards. The deal is for the rest of the season and if all goes to plan, hopefully it’s something we could expand on in future.”

Welch said he too was hopeful that the partnership would be beneficial to both parties, although the paddock layout this weekend at Oulton Park has resulted in a difficult start.

“We are two teams running the older suspension package so it makes sense for us to do something together,” he said. “There is the opportunity for us to share data between the two cars and I can also help Stewart out with some coaching as well.

“It’s not the ideal situation this weekend with my car being based in one of the garages and Stewart’s being in an awning in the paddock as the team is split, but going forwards, it’s a deal that should work well for both of us.”

Welch qualified 24th on the grid for race one at Oulton Park, with Lines in 32nd.