British Touring Car Championship powerhouse West Surrey Racing has secured backing for a two-car team of BMWs from LKQ Euro Car Parts for 2025.
The switch of allegiance for LKQ comes after its partnership with the Honda team of One Motorsport in 2023, which then transferred to title sponsorship of two of Speedworks Motorsport’s squad of Toyotas this season.
The common theme throughout LKQ’s involvement to date in the BTCC has been drivers Josh Cook and Aiden Moffat.
Cook is understood not to be in the frame at WSR, while Moffat has been heavily linked with the team for several weeks.
WSR has so far confirmed recently crowned champion Jake Hill, whose BMW 330i M Sport will continue to be run under the MB Motorsport/Laser Tools banner in deference to his management and sponsor, as well as Daryl DeLeon.
Four-time champion and WSR stalwart Colin Turkington is an obvious choice for one of the remaining seats, but team boss Dick Bennetts would not be drawn on his chances of a seat or Moffat’s.
“We have got six drivers in the running,” was all Bennetts would say.
While WSR has four TBL entrants’ licences for the 2025 season, it is understood that the team is still open to expanding to a five-car line-up should one of the other 20 currently allocated become available.
While Moffat would be a shoo-in as one of the LKQ drivers should a deal with the Scot be confirmed, it is unclear whether DeLeon or even Turkington would be in the other car to carry the company’s branding.
“We are delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with LKQ Euro Car Parts,” said Bennetts.
“Their commitment to WSR shows the huge commercial value of winning the BTCC and should be a message to any brands aiming to expand their horizons that this series provides a magnificent platform to do it.”
Speedworks, who ran two Toyotas in 2024 under the LKQ banner and two as Toyota Gazoo Racing GB, has yet to confirm any drivers for next season.
“Our aim and push through the winter, aside from the obvious car development, is delivering on the driving squad,” Speedworks head of racing Danny Buxton told Autosport.
“The signs are very, very exciting and, while we’ve got a few bits of paperwork sorted, we’re a little bit away on completing.
“There’s been a real focus on all four seats, and we’re working extremely hard to put the right package out there across the board.”
Rob Huff, the 2012 World Touring Car champion who won two races this season with Speedworks in his first BTCC campaign for 20 years, has already told Autosport of his wish to stay on for 2025.
“With Rob’s experience and what he’s brought to the team, we’d love to see him continue for 2025, especially with the amount of development we’re doing,” added Buxton.
