POSTED 21st February 2017 CIRCUIT Ex-MG driver Cook replaces Lines at Maximum Ford BTCC team for 2017 Team principal and driver Lines had been uncertain he would be fit for the start of the season following a mountain bike accident that left him with muscle and ligament damage. He has now decided to step aside in favour of 25-year-old Cook, who was on the sidelines after the Triple Eight-run MG team signed Aron Taylor-Smith and Dan Lloyd. “After my accident, we started analysing our options for the forthcoming campaign to allow myself enough time for recovery,” said Lines. “When Josh announced he was without a drive, we grasped the opportunity to sign a very capable young talent. “I’m disappointed that I won’t be lining up on the 2017 grid, as the car has undergone a significant programme of upgrades over the winter period and is now down to a much lighter weight. “Despite this, I am delighted we’re running Josh this season and believe we’ve got the complete package to produce some strong finishes.” Cook has been a podium finisher in both his BTCC campaigns so far, having stepped into the series in a Power Maxed Chevrolet in 2015 after being runner-up in the ’14 Renault Clio Cup. “I’m elated to be back on the grid for 2017 – it all turned around in the space of 24 hours,” said Cook. “The support that I received when I announced my departure from MG was incredible. “I’m immensely grateful to Stewart for enabling my return. “It’s taken a lot of effort with multiple new sponsors. “I think we’ve got a great package with Maximum Motorsport, the Focus has been upgraded over the off-season and with Team Parker Racing looking after the operation of the car throughout the year, we should be pushing for strong finishes from the off.” 2017 BTCC FIELD AmD Tuning Audi S3 Saloon Ollie Jackson, Ant Whorton-Eales BTC Racing Chevrolet Cruze Chris Smiley, Dave Newsham Ciceley Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class Adam Morgan Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type-R Jeff Smith, Jack Goff Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis Rob Austin Laser Tools Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class Aiden Moffat Maximum Motorsport Ford Focus Josh Cook Motorbase Performance Ford Focus Mat Jackson, Luke Davenport, Martin Depper Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra Tom Chilton, Senna Proctor Speedworks Toyota Avensis Tom Ingram Team BMR Subaru Levorg Jason Plato, Ash Sutton, James Cole, TBA Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type-R Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal, Matt Simpson Team Hard VW CC Will Burns, Michael Epps, Jake Hill Team Parker Ford Focus Stephen Jelley Triple Eight MG MG6 Aron Taylor-Smith, Dan Lloyd WSR BMW 125i M Sport Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, Rob Collard Source :autosport.com Share this:TwitterFacebook Related