As a BTCC rookie, the Northern Irishman won the 2023 edition of the Jack Sears Trophy, the sub-division for drivers who have never scored an overall BTCC podium before the season. He scored two podium finishes with the Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra squad, in rain-affected races at Knockhill and Silverstone.
Now 29-year-old Watson has become one-half of Speedworks’ two-car Toyota Gazoo Racing UK line-up. This will run alongside two identical Corolla GR Sports entered under the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq banner, and for which Josh Cook was confirmed last week.
Watson is part of the Mark Blundell-fronted MBP management stable that also looks after West Surrey Racing BMW star Jake Hill, and he was linked with a potential move to the Sunbury squad in place of Carrera Cup-bound veteran Stephen Jelley for a return to rear-wheel-drive competition.
“When we first came into the championship, Speedworks were one of the people we spoke to and had our eye on,” Watson told Autosport.
“But having my first year at Power Maxed was the right place for me.
“It was through Mark and Alex Watts [MBP managing director] and their team that they got back in touch with Speedworks.
“When both sides of the coin want to do it, it makes it much easier for it to happen.
Source: Autosport