News of Daniel Lloyd’s split came as a surprise to all of us BTCC fans, especially considering that the next BTCC round at Croft is just a couple of days away. The 25 year old Yorkshire born driver and Team MG Racing have decided to part ways following Lloyd’s unfortunate BTCC season. Lloyd encountered many issues during the season, including a high speed crash at Thruxton which led to his MG6 being severely damaged. He had expressed his dissatisfaction with the MG car in the past and that he feels that this may have altered his performance. However, as Lloyd leaves, Josh Cook returns to MG Racing Triple 8 team.

However all speculations aside, Lloyd’s unsuccessful season meant that his sponsorship and funding had decreased, leading to him making a very difficult decision and leaving the team MG and BTCC this season. However, both parties are parting on good terms, Lloyd’s teammate Aron Smith is disappointed with his leave, but is wishing him the best of luck in future racing.

Newly appointed Team Principal Nico Ferrari is delighted with the new signing: “It’s a shame things didn’t work out with Dan (Daniel Lloyd) but now we’re in a great position to continue improving the MG6 and we can start to prove the capability of the car. The team have gone through a huge shake up in recent weeks and this is only adding to the strength of the new look Triple Eight Racing.”

Josh Cook will be stepping in to replace Lloyd and finish this BTCC season. Cook is not new to the MG ‘family’, in 2016 he raced for MG Racing RCIB Insurance and showed some great driving performance by finishing the championship in overall 12th place, as well as racking up an impressive fourteen ‘top ten’ finishes during his maiden year in the MG6.

Josh who has already competed in the first four rounds of the 2017 BTCC season for Maximum Motorsport is pleased with his progress so far and is looking forward to steering MG up the leader’s board: “Firstly I would like to thank all those at Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport for the opportunity at the start of the season and for all of their hard work. I wish them further success and now look forward to building on my 2016 season with MG in the MG6.”

Triple Eight Racing Team Manager Micky Sergeant is also pleased with Cook’s return: “Fantastic to have Josh back in the team. A great ambassador for Triple Eight, MG and the sport in general both on and off track. There was always unfinished business from my point of view and I relish the chance to work with him once again”

Don’t miss Josh Cook’s BTCC rounds 13,14 & 15 at Croft on 10/11th June