Former British Touring Car Championship driver Mat Jackson will return to the wheel of a touring car this weekend when he partners Stewart Lines in Maximum Motorsport’s TCR-spec CUPRA TCR car.

Jackson raced in the BTCC for 11 straight seasons between 2007 and 2017, including eight years in a row with Motorbase Performance.

But despite seemingly having a contract for 2018, Jackson was dropped by Motorbase ahead of the 2018 season, leaving him without a drive in the current season.

- Advertisement -

Jackson will now partner Maximum Motorsport Team Principal Stewart Lines in this weekend’s Britcar Endurance race at Oulton Park, reuniting the 37-year-old with SEAT machinery for the first time since 2006 when he lifted the SEAT Cupra Championship in the UK.

“He’s done a great job to-date,” said Lines. “I think we will race well together to keep the momentum going, as we are currently leading the Britcar Endurance Championship.

“Mat was the ideal candidate as he has a superb racing CV. We are good friends and do business together, but it will be good to see him back in a race car again.

“I’m sure that his many fans will agree as he is a very popular driver.”

Jackson himself is looking forward to the event, but insists that the deal is just a one-off for the moment, as BTCC regular Adam Morgan, who usually partners Lines, is unavailable this weekenc due to BTCC commitments at Croft.

“It should be good fun,” added Jackson. “It will be good to give Stewart a hand and to get into the TCR car with the latest spec.

“This is a one-off just to help Stewart as he is leading the Championship and wanted to maintain that.

“With Adam Morgan on BTCC duties, Stewart asked me if I was interested and I couldn’t say no.

“The plan is to get back into BTCC next year. I want to be winning championships again.”