Reigning British Touring Car Independents champion Aron Taylor-Smith has lined himself up a Toyota Gazoo Racing UK seat for 2025.
The 35-year-old Dubliner, a four-time race winner in the championship, will campaign a Speedworks Motorsport-run Corolla GR Sport after two seasons with the under-threat Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall squad.
Taylor-Smith is the second driver named for the four-strong Speedworks line-up, following the team’s snapping up of promising Scot Ronan Pearson.
Unlike Pearson, Taylor-Smith is yet to test the Toyota and this is his first time under the Speedworks umbrella.
While the Cheshire team has been quiet for much of the winter, with at least three of its four BTCC drivers from last season moving on for 2025, it is understood to be likely to fill its seats after an encouraging winter of development on the Corolla.
Rob Huff, the 2012 World Touring Car champion, is the only one of Speedworks’ drivers from last season still in the frame, while highly rated Bobby Thompson is also on the market as his hopes of landing a seat at the West Surrey Racing BMW squad fade.
Of Taylor-Smith, Speedworks chief Christian Dick said: “It became evident from our very first conversations that he is a fantastic fit for Speedworks Motorsport, and vice versa. His enthusiasm is infectious – and that is tremendously inspiring for the whole team.
“Aron has received a lot of praise for his performances and results over the past couple of campaigns – and justifiably so – and we absolutely believe that, in the right car, he can be a regular frontrunner and contender for race wins. He is going from strength to strength and is well-placed to capitalise on his current momentum.
“We’ve been hard at work since last season to further hone and refine the Corolla GR Sport, and we feel we have taken further steps forward across the board.”
Taylor-Smith added: “When I met with Christian and Danny [Buxton, Speedworks head of motorsport, who coached Taylor-Smith during his Clio Cup days], it was clear right from the start that they’ve conducted a really exciting development programme over the winter.
“Having spent the past two years trying to beat the manufacturer-backed cars, it’ll be a surreal feeling to be in amongst them, but that just spurs me on even more to put on a show.”
