In 2020, Jade Edwards broke a 13-year hiatus for women in BTCC. Now the British racer tears down another barrier and lands a full-season seat with BTC Racing.
She made headlines in 2020 after she became the first female to race in a BTCC round since 2007, when Power Maxed Racing entered a Vauxhall Astra in a one-off event at Silverstone.
Now, Jade Edwards is ready to write one more page of motor racing history as she lands a full-time seat in the popular Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship: she will drive the Honda Civic Type-R FK8 by Brackley-based BTC Racing team.
Jade, daughter of BTCC former class race-winner Jim Edwards, turns her dream into reality and will thus contest her first BTCC campaign in 2021 alongside Josh Cook and Micheal Crees, as BTC Racing extends its operation to a 3-car fleet.
“For anyone who watched my debut BTCC weekend last year, they will know this is something I have worked very hard on for a long time,” commented Jade Edwards.
“The plan for that one weekend was always to make it onto the grid full-time. I have worked with the BTCC and BTC Racing over the last year, giving my support and being a real advocate for the team."
“Over the winter, Steve [Dudman, Team Owner and Team Principal of BTC Racing] has been a man of his word, very loyal and trustworthy, and gave me this amazing opportunity – it really is what dreams are made off. It’s been my dream to race in touring cars properly, not just a one-off. Steve and all the team at BTC have made this happen and I am so grateful to them all for the support. I really cannot tell you how excited I am about the season ahead.”
“To complete our 2021 driver line-up so early in the year is wonderful news for the team", added Dudman.
“I am absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to put a deal together with Jade for her to race her first full season in the series. She deserves this opportunity and BTC Racing will endeavour to support her in every way possible. I know Jade will make the absolute most of it."
“We certainly have high hopes for what Jade can achieve this season with BTC Racing, especially after seeing her do such a professional job both in and out of the car on her BTCC debut last year. She’s a racer through-and-through and knows how to get stuck in, which is what touring car racing is all about. I firmly believe we have one of the most exciting and equally-balanced entries on the grid with Jade alongside Josh and Michael. We just cannot wait for the season to begin.”
Jade finished last year's Silverstone round with a P21 and a P23 out of a crowded grid of almost 30 cars. But her experience in elite British motorsport championships dates back to 2006, when Edwards moved her first steps in the Ginetta Juniors before stepping up to the British GT Championship in 2014 and 2015.
Jade moved to touring cars in 2018 and competed in the Renault UK Clio Cup - a supporting series of the BTCC - where she placed seventh in the 2019 standings and scored a best finish of fourth at Brands Hatch, together with four additional top-5 finishes.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship announced a revised calendar on 14th January, as the 2021 racing schedule was moved forward by five weeks in order to maximise the opportunity for fans and guests to attend the events.
Thruxton is now expected to host the season opener on 8/9 May.