Ciceley Motorsport has today announced that Adam Morgan will be returning with the outfit for the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Offers were on the table for Morgan to move team and championship during the winter break but the Lancashireman made his intentions clear, preferring to stay put, with he and Ciceley eyeing a championship challenge this season.

“I need to get right up the championship points table this year,” said Morgan. “Last year was going so well up until Oulton Park and Croft, when a fire at the former and an engine problem at the latter really put us on the back foot.

“We were third in the standings heading to Oulton but then had six races without a point, and that really did for us. The BTCC is so tight, which is brilliant in one way but disastrous in another. If you don’t have a good qualifying then it can ruin your weekend and a mechanical drama during race one is an absolute nightmare.

“The competiveness to me is the addiction as a driver and the BTCC is the best championship out there for both drivers and their teams. It was nice to be thought of by other teams but my sponsors are loyal to me and the BTCC Independents’ and Drivers’ Championships are my sole aim, and so I have elected to stay with the guys at Ciceley.”

Norman Burgess, Commercial Director Ciceley Motorsport, expressed his delight at retaining Morgan’s services. Five of the racer’s six BTCC campaigns, since entering the championship with Speedworks Motorsport back in 2012, have been spent competing under the Ciceley banner – last year in Mac Tools colours. It’s been a fruitful partnership, too, with four victories and a further 14 podiums in the bag.

“It’s great that Adam is so committed to the BTCC and his Ciceley Motorsport team,” said Burgess. “We have all enjoyed an incredible journey together and still absolutely love our racing.

“The British Touring Car Championship is the best package in Europe without doubt, and we at Ciceley Motorsport are always looking to improve and grow our business. We must have visited every other championship going, but nothing comes close to the BTCC. The commercial opportunities, the epic week-in week-out close racing, and, of course, the passion of the fans are leagues above anything else out there.”

The team still has two major announcements to make in the coming weeks as it fully fleshes out its 2018 plans.

“We have been busy little bees during the winter,” added Burgess. “We are really looking forward to this year, as there have been some big changes made in the team and we can’t wait to share the news.

“We still have a few commercial projects to finalise but have a great pre-season test schedule planned. Our news will be a shock to some, but a lot of time and effort has been poured into making 2018 our best season ever. MAC Tools remains as our title sponsors and we are looking forward, ready for the season ahead.”