When Jade Edwards will take her first BTCC start at Silverstone next 26-27 September, she will become the first woman to race in the series since 2007.
In a historic moment for British motorsport, 29-year old racer Jade Edwards was announced by race-winning Power Maxed Racing team as one of its drivers for the Silverstone round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. She will be the first woman competing in the BTCC main event since 2007.
Edwards, daughter of BTCC race winner Jim Edwards Jr, competed in the highly competitive Renault UK Clio Cup, where she was 7th in the standings in 2019 and will now be eager to follow in her father's footsteps on board of the Vauxhall Astra.
A race winner herself in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge and with 3 starts in the British GT to her name, Jade Edwards joins forces with PMR for the three racers of the Silverstone round on 26-27 September.
“Racing in the BTCC is a childhood dream of mine, and is something that I’ve made no secret of working towards." - said Jade.
"I’ve been in the paddock since I was 10 years old, either supporting my dad or competing myself - to now be racing in the main event is something I’ll never forget!"
"Having known Jade for quite a few years now, I’ve always been impressed with the way she throws herself into everything she does with such gusto." - commented Adam Weaver, team principal of Power Maxed Racing. "Whilst she's had a lot of bad luck on the track, she’s a great driver, and has a well-earned reputation as a fan favourite."
"She’s spoken publicly about her longing to get onto the BTCC grid in a competitive car, and with the unique opportunities this year has given us, it was a no brainer for all of us to get her in the car for a round. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do.” - he added.
The partnership between Weaver and Edwards dates back to 2018, when the team principal supported Jade's campaign in the Clio Cup UK.
"PMR have a brilliant track record, and Adam has always shown support in my career, even sponsoring my Clio campaign in 2018, so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to work with them." - said Edwards. "The Astra has already proven its speed this season, so I’m itching to get out in it and see what I can do.”
Starting out as a title sponsor for Team BTC in 2014, Power Maxed Racing succeeded under Weaver's management to bring back the Vauxhall brand to the iconic British Touring Car Championship in 2017. As the squad became the official Vauxhall team, it entered some of the most popular names in the British-based series, such as Tom Chilton, Senna Proctor and Jason Plato.
In 2020, PMR missed the two opening rounds and scaled back to a one-car operation running Mike Bushell at Oulton Park and Knockhill. With Edwards now set to make her BTCC debut at Silverstone, the team could potentially become a reference point for talented female drivers targeting a professional career in the BTCC. PMR has in fact also granted W Series driver Jessica Hawkins her first BTCC test last week.