3 More Years
02 Apr 2024
NAPA Racing UK re-affirms BTCC commitment with extended Alliance Racing deal
The NAPA Racing UK name will continue to chase top honours in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship until the end of 2026 at least after an extension of the ultra-successful partnership between NAPA Auto Parts and the Alliance Racing team.
NAPA Racing UK first appeared on the BTCC grid in 2022 after a commercial partnership was agreed between the famous automotive parts brand and what was then known as Motorbase Performance, fielding two cars in Britain’s premier racing series for multiple champion Ash Sutton and proven race winner Dan Cammish.
In what would be a successful start to the new partnership, both drivers would make it onto the top of the podium during the season, with Sutton ending the year second in the standings and NAPA Racing UK beating Team BMW to lift the Teams’ Championship. That would only be a taster for what was to come, with records tumbling as NAPA Racing UK’s expanded four-car programme emerged as the dominant force in 2023.
A stunning season on track saw NAPA Racing UK romp to championship glory on three fronts, with Sutton taking a record-equalling fourth Drivers’ title, and the team not only defending the Teams’ Championship, but also ending BMW’s run of success in the Manufacturers’ / Constructors’ standings
Along the way, there were no fewer than 16 race wins, 32 podium finishes, 13 fastest laps and a scarcely believable nine pole positions out of ten; a reflection of the astonishing work put in by Alliance Racing’s ace engineering squad to transform the team’s Ford Focus ST into one of the most complete packages seen in the series in recent memory. The announcement of a new three-year agreement between NAPA Racing UK and Alliance Racing is a reflection of the strong bond formed between the two parties, and comes at an exciting time for the team, which is in the process of relocating to new headquarters in the Midlands in preparation for the 2024 season.
“This is a fantastic day for everyone involved in Alliance Racing. Since forming a partnership with NAPA, over 2 years ago, we have worked together to deliver success both on and off the track. We are excited to commit to 3 more years together and continue to grow from strength to strength for all our staff and sponsor partners.
I wish to thank everyone involved with our team, their hard work and dedication is what make this partnership so successful. It has been fantastic to witness the growth of the NAPA brand in the UK and Europe through their support of UK motorsport. Especially the most prestigious series of them all, the British Touring Car Championship. We can’t wait to see NAPA Racing UK back on the grid in 2024.”
Pete Osborne, Team Owner Alliance Racing.
“The signing of this agreement marks the next step in the evolution of NAPA Racing UK and our partnership with Alliance Racing. From the outset, Alliance Racing have proved to be the perfect platform for the NAPA brand and share our ethos of continuous growth & improvement. We’re delighted that the partnership will continue for at least the next 3 years. We’ve broken records and achieved significant success to date and look forward to seeing where the journey forward takes us.”
Steve Richardson, NAPA Racing UK Managing Director.
NAPA Racing UK signs BTCC champion Ash Sutton to new multi-year deal
Following two hugely successful seasons together, NAPA Racing UK is proud to also announce that it has agreed with reigning British Touring Car Champion Ash Sutton a deal that will see him continue to race in NAPA’s iconic colours until the end of 2026. Ash joined forces with NAPA Racing UK ahead of the 2022 season having just secured his third BTCC title, making him the youngest driver to achieve the feat.
Despite having to adapt to the switch back to front-wheel drive for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2016, Ash put his Ford Focus ST on the podium during the opening weekend of the season at Donington Park and would go on to score three wins as he finished the season second in the standings. Ash would also play a key role in helping NAPA Racing UK secure the Teams’ Championship title in its first year as part of Britain’s premier race series. That would be the precursor to a frankly astonishing 2023 season as Ash scored a record-equalling fourth title in stunning fashion – becoming the first driver in series history to win the title in both front-wheel and rear-wheel-drive machinery. Along the way, he equalled Alain Menu’s long-standing record of twelve wins in a season as well as James Thompson’s six pole positions, whilst his 446 points is the highest scored by a driver in a single campaign.
The new deal between NAPA Racing UK and Ash will run through to the end of the 2026 season, giving ample opportunity for the 30-year-old to further cement his position as one of the greatest drivers in the long history of the championship.
“After an incredible two years with the team already and the latter being a record-breaking year claiming my fourth title, this now means I am fully focused to go after more. Let’s get 2024 underway”
Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK
The 2024 season will get underway at Donington Park in late April, with NAPA Racing UK again committed to running a multi-car programme as it bids to maintain the high standards set in 2023 and challenge for more championship silverware.
Keep up to date on all our drivers this year @naparacinguk or click HERE to buy NAPA Racing merchandise.
