Aron Taylor-Smith makes Power Maxed Racing switch

Power Maxed Racing has announced the signing of Aron Taylor-Smith for the 2023 BTCC season to complete a new-look line-up for the Vauxhall squad.

The Irish racer will line-up alongside series rookie Andrew Watson after making the move over from Team HARD, where he has spent recent seasons running in a Cupra Leon.

Taylor-Smith is a four-time winner in the series and said his main goal this year was on trying to get back onto the top step of the podium.

“This is a dream come true for me,” he said. “The dream after this is to win another race in the BTCC and the dream after that is to fight for a championship.

“I’ve watched what Adam [Weaver] and his team have put together over the years and have seen what their car is capable of on the track; I know their desire matches mine when it comes to success.

“We’ve tried to get a deal done in the past and it’s never quite come together, so I am beyond happy that it has this year. Visiting the workshop and seeing what they have done over the winter, I have never been more confident going into a season.”

Team boss Adam Weaver was pleased to welcome Taylor-Smith into the line-up.

“Aron is just a great guy,” he said. “His enthusiasm is contagious and more of that in a team can never be a bad thing.

“I know Aron and Andrew will get on brilliantly and I’m really looking forward to being a part of this team. It’s everything we have been working towards – I’ve never been this excited about a BTCC campaign.”

Taylor-Smith’s signing means that 2022 rookie Ash Hand will need to look elsewhere if he is to return to the series for a second season, despite having inked what was referred to as a multi-year deal last year.

Hand’s team-mate Michael Crees has revealed on social media in recent days that he is still to secure his place on the grid for 2023.