SAM OSBORNE COMPLETES UNCHANGED NAPA RACING UK LINE-UP

28 Feb 2025

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NAPA Racing UK can confirm that it will field an unchanged line-up for the 2025 British Touring Car Championship after establishing the return of Sam Osborne to fill the fourth and final seat.

Osborne will once again line-up alongside Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom as he embarks on his fifth season at the wheel of a Ford Focus ST, the last two of which have been in NAPA Racing UK colours.

Having debuted in the series back in 2019 after previously racing in both the MINI Challenge and the Renault Clio Cup, Osborne showed flashes of speed in his early years in the series, but it was the tie-up with NAPA Racing UK at the start of 2023 that saw him take huge strides forwards.

Picking up a podium at Donington Park in a chaotic, rain-affected race, Osborne would go on to be a regular points scorer and ended the year with 65 points to his name – more than in the previous four seasons combined.

Malcom Swetnam – Alliance racing, Director – motorsport:

“Sam becomes the final piece of the BTCC team jigsaw with the announcement that Sam will continue with NAPA Racing into the 2025 season. Sam has forged a great relationship with his new for 2024 Engineer, Richard Townsend and the addition of Rory Butcher as driver coach mid-season in 2024 really brought out the best in him.

His performance in the latter half of 2024 gives the team high hopes for 2025 with particular focus on the Jack Sears Trophy.”

Things would then get even better for the 31-year-old last year as he again improved his seasonal score to end the year in a personal best, finishing 15th in the championship standings.

En-route, Osborne would score points in more race than ever before – including 14 in a row in the second half of the year – whilst the latter stages of the campaign saw in regularly inside the top ten, with eight top ten results from the final nine races.

Away from the BTCC, Sam showed his versatility behind the wheel of the NAPA Racing UK Division 2 Truck. Sam is no stranger to HGV, as a qualified HGV driver and mechanic for The Green Group. Sam showed his adaptability and speed as a driver and won two rounds of the BTRC at Pembrey standing in for the injured Paul Rivett.

Going into 2025, a season in which he will celebrate his 200th BTCC start, Osborne will now seek to build on the momentum generated last season and look to challenge for overall podiums. Having only visited the podium once before, Sam will again be eligible to campaign for the Jack Sears Trophy. With one of the most competitive fields in years, Sam will start the year as one of the championship favourites.

STEVE RICHARDSON – MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP:

“We’re proud for NAPA to continue with Sam for another season. On the track, Sam continues to ascend towards the front of the grid. In 2024 it was fantastic to see him consistently challenge the top 10 and for Jack Sears Trophy wins.

In 2025, we’re looking forward to seeing him alongside his NAPA Racing UK teammates on the overall podium.”

SAM OSBORNE – NAPA RACING UK DRIVER:

“To be honest, I didn’t want last season to end, we got things going and I was on a bit of a run. I think it was nine consecutive top-ten finishes in the last nine races. Midway through the year, we added Rory (Butcher) to my car crew, and along with Rich (Townsend), my engineer and my side of the team, it progressed us in all areas on and off track.

Since Brands Hatch, it’s been non-stop with work and preparing for the 2025 season. We’re determined to start the season strong and put all the hard work to good use.”

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