Macklin Motors and EXCELR8 Motorsport

Macklin Motors are proud to be represented in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) through the EXCELR8 Motorsport team and driver Ronan Pearson.

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For Scotland

The addition of Ronan to the EXCELR8 line-up in 2023 was hugely exciting development, with the youngster being the first member of the team's Young Driver Development programme to get his chance on the BTCC grid.

Once again racing a Hyundai i30N Fastback adorned with the Macklin Motors logo, Ronan will not only help us to boost brand awareness in the biggest series in British Motorsport, but also allow us to celebrate our love of motorsport with customers as he continues his career in the biggest racing series in the UK.

The BTCC

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) has a rich history dating back to 1958 and is known and loved by fans across the world. From the very start, all-action racing in recognisable cars that the man on the street can relate to has proven to be a huge draw, with fans flocking to race circuits around the UK to cheer on their favourites.

Through the years, most of the major manufacturers have been involved in the series - including the likes of Ford, BMW, and Honda - whilst some of the biggest names in the sport have got behind the wheel on track.

As well as being able to cheer Ronan on trackside during the Knockhill weekend, all 30 races across the season will air live on ITV4 and the new ITV X platform.

Race Schedule

The BTCC season features ten events at eight of the leading circuits in the UK between late April and early October, and includes a trip to Scotland at Knockhill, just north of the Firth of Forth.

Each of those ten race meetings includes three action-packed BTCC races and a busy package of support races to provide fans with maximum entertainment and astonishing entertainment - with a day trackside being comparable price wise to an afternoon watching a rugby or football match.

Donington Park National

27 - 28 Apr

Brands Hatch Indy

11 - 12 May

Snetterton 300

25 - 26 May

Thruxton

08 - 09 Jun

Oulton Park Island

22 - 23 Jun

Croft

27 - 28 Jul

Knockhill

10 - 11 Aug

Donnington Park GP

24 - 25 Aug

Silverstone National

21 - 22 Sep

Brands Hatch GP

05 - 06 Oct

Making history

The BTCC has long been known as a leader when it comes to innovation and the current regulations are no exception, with the series being the first to introduce hybrid technology in 2022. A bespoke system operates alongside the traditional ICE fitted to each car to produce an additional burst of power that can be used on track to either attack or defend, with the exact amount of hybrid allowed - and the speed at which it can be deployed - being dependent on previous performance.

For qualifying and race one, championship position is used to determine the amount of hybrid available, whilst for races two and three, it all comes down to the result of the previous race. In simple terms, the higher up the standings you are, the less hybrid is available in a bid to level the playing field.

About EXCELR8 Motorsport

Originally founded by Justina Williams in 2010 to compete in the MINI CHALLENGE, where it is the most successful team in series history by some margin, EXCELR8 Motorsport joined the BTCC grid for the first time in 2019 running a pair of ex-works MG 6 GT machines. Within a year, the team has joined the constructor team ranks with the build of a new car based on the Hyundai i30 Fastback N and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Becoming a regular contender for race wins and podium finishes, the team secured the championship title in just its fourth season in the series in 2022 thanks to Tom Ingram, who spearheads a four-car entry alongside Tom Chilton, Ronan and Nick Halstead.

Sister brand Bristol Street Motors is the primary partner of EXCELR8's programme in the biggest series in British Motorsport, but the eye-catching livery on Ronan's car has been reserved to showcase the Macklin Motors name to a huge audience across the UK - and beyond.

Learn more about EXCELR8 Motorsport

Living The Dream

Ronan was able to fulfil a lifelong dream when he headed for the Nissan Glasgow central dealership on Port Dundas Road to take the covers off his 2023 race car. As well as providing Macklin Motors colleagues with a chance to share the excitement, Ronan also got the chance to meet one of his favourite musicians after nominating singer-songwriter Callum Beattie to join him for the reveal and discuss their careers on the main stage.

Since the launch, Callum has benefitted from support from Macklin Motors in terms of transport for his 2023 tour dates, and joined Ronan at the Royal Highland Show to launch a special helmet design competition.

See the video here

A new journey

"Ever since I started racing, my goal has been to make it onto the BTCC grid and it's hard to find the words to express how excited I am to know it's going to happen this year.

"The original plan had been to return to the MINI CHALLENGE before moving up into touring cars in 2024, but then we started to look at whether it might be feasible to bring the plans forward. Having approached the team to say I wanted to be in the fourth Hyundai seat, we've been able to make it happen and I couldn't be happier.

"I'm hugely proud to be the first member of EXCELR8's Young Driver Development Programme to make this move, and the fact that I'll be joining the BTCC grid with support from a major Scottish brand in Macklin Motors is fantastic - and I'll be doing my all to repay the faith they have shown in me.

"Spending time working alongside the BTCC team last season is going to be hugely beneficial to me as I know a lot of the people who will be working on my car already, and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work alongside two of the top drivers on the grid during my rookie year.

"Tom and Tom have a huge amount of experience and I don't think I could have a better pair of drivers to learn from when you consider that Tom Ingram is the defending BTCC champion, and Tom Chilton has won a title in the World Touring Car Championship and tasted victory at the highest level. I'll be looking to learn as much as I possibly can from them both to help me progress, and get to where I want to be.

"I'm well aware that moving up to the BTCC is a huge step to take, and it's important for me to be realistic in my goals. The first aim has to be to challenge for wins in the Jack Sears Trophy, then take it from there and see how things go."

Ronan Pearson, Driver at EXCELR8 Motorsport

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