BTCC: Jordan Pulls Out of 2020 Season

WSR Team BMW driver Andrew Jordan will not contest the 2020 British Touring Car Championship, after parting ways with the team.

While not having specifically stated, it is believed that this is due to budget-problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the parties separated peacefully.

The 2013 BTCC champion was runner up to teammate Colin Turkington in 2019 by just 2 points, despite having missed all 3 Donington Park races after being hospitalized by a crash in Race 1 at the venue.

A statement from Team BMW said, “Team BMW and WSR regret to announce that driver Andrew Jordan has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2020 British Touring Car Championship.

“We would like to thank Andrew for his immense contribution to our BTCC success story, which includes 10 race wins, three manufacturers’ titles and the runner-up spot in last year’s drivers’ championship, and to wish him the very best for the future.”

Team boss Dick Bennetts said: “AJ has made a huge contribution to our BTCC success since 2017 – coming so close to winning last year’s title – and we’re sorry to be losing him. On behalf of all at WSR and Team BMW, we thank him for our seasons together and wish him well for the future.”

Jordan after winning the 2013 BTCC title

The announcement leaves Team BMW with 2 drivers for the 2020 season, reigning 4x champion Turkington and Tom Oliphant. It is not known if BMW will seek to find a replacement driver for Jordan before the opening event of the season at Donington Park on August 1st/2nd.

Jordan’s announcement in full:

“After much thought and consideration, I have made the difficult decision not to compete in the BTCC 2020 Season with Team BMW.

“As I’m sure too many of you can attest to, the current climate has impacted all of us more than we could have ever anticipated. Unfortunately, this has placed me in a position where my head had to overrule my heart, and the tough decision was made to not compete this season.

“Thank you to all of those who have made this 12-year journey a possibility; becoming BTCC Champion was more than I could have ever imagined. Over the past year, I have been humbled by the time and effort so many people, on all sides, have put in to try and ensure this dream of mine remained a reality.

“I’d like to thank BMW, WSR and all my sponsors for the incredible three years we’ve had together. We’ve achieved so much, and I will be forever grateful to have worked alongside the best in the business. I’ll be cheering them on when the season starts and wish them every bit of success.

“Lastly, I want to thank you, the fans, for your enduring support and love shown to me and my family. Since joining the BTCC in 2008 one of the greatest joys has been meeting so many of you on race weekends.

“For now, I’m going to take stock and plan what our new future looks like. Wherever that might be, I hope we can meet again soon, and I wish all of you the very best for the remainder of 2020.”

Jordan very nearly didn’t make it to the BTCC grid in 2020 before the pandemic, after his title sponsor Pirtek pulled out after supporting him throughout his BTCC career.