Oliphant’s aiming high with BMW once again
TOM Oliphant will remain with reigning champions Team BMW for the 2020 British Touring Car Championship.
Leamington-based racer Oliphant enjoyed a fantastic 2019 campaign with the Surrey-based outfit, firmly establishing himself as a front-running force in the UK’s premier race series. Regularly battling for podium finishes his efforts helped BMW win the Manufacturers’ title.
With team-mate Colin Turkington winning the Drivers’ crown, Team BMW successfully continued their record of being the most successful team in recent BTCC history.
It was a breakthrough season for Oliphant, who made an immediate impact with the team by securing a maiden outright podium finish in the fourth race of the year at Donington Park.
He went on to record a season’s best result of second at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
Oliphant, who is a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club, will return to the grid in 2020 determined to challenge for overall success in the series, as well as aid Team BMW in their quest for glory.
He said: “I couldn’t be happier to be continuing with Team BMW for the 2020 British Touring Car Championship season. I loved every second racing with them this year, they have really helped me develop as a driver. Getting on to the overall podium a couple of times were the highlights of the year, and I can build on those performances in 2020.”
Team BMW boss Dick Bennetts said: “Taking what he’s learned in 2019 and adding in a winter of development for the 3 Series, Tom will be an even stronger proposition in 2020.”
The season will once again be contested over ten events. Starting at Donington Park in late March, it will visit Silverstone (twice), Thruxton, Oulton Park, Croft, Snetterton and Knockhill, before a second visit of the year to Brands Hatch ends the campaign in October.
I couldn’t be happier to be continuing with Team BMW for the 2020 British Touring Car Championship season. Tom Oliphant