Vauxhall team’s BTCC future in jeopardy after sponsor termination

The future of the reigning British Touring Car Championship Independents’ title holder Power Maxed Racing has been jeopardised by the withdrawal of its main backer.

Pendragon Management Services, whose CarStore and Evans Halshaw divisions featured as title sponsor of the Midlands squad’s Vauxhall Astras in 2022-23 and 2024 respectively, has ended its agreement three years into a five-year contract.

A team statement read: “PMR had expected this to be a five-year sponsorship programme, but unfortunately it has ended at the end of year three.

“PMR has both continually and heavily invested in the development of its Vauxhall Astras based on this five-year plan and has seen its competitiveness improve season by season.

“Although we are clearly seeking alternative sponsors and solutions to this situation, the unexpected and late decision poses a significant threat to PMR’s ability to continue competing in the BTCC in the short term should we not find suitable partners.”

Between them, PMR duo Aron Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble took 27 of the 30 Independent class victories in the BTCC in 2024, with Doble also claiming the Jack Sears Trophy title for drivers who had not scored an overall podium finish before the start of the season.

Aron Taylor-Smith, Power Maxed Vauxhall Astra

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

Irishman Taylor-Smith, seventh in the overall championship last season, is understood to be working on a deal to remain in the series, while those around Doble are also hopeful that he will be on the grid.

“We’re still working hard on options for Mikey,” Doble’s manager Will Fewkes told Autosport.

“There are options there for him but they’ve got to be realistic commercially – there are a few brands that are just about there to support him, and there are potentially some good ones that might give him a bit more long-term security.”

Pendragon was subjected to a takeover from American giant Lithia in early 2024, two years into the Power Maxed deal, and the axe was quickly swung on CarStore. More recently, it has been closing down Evans Halshaw branches.

PMR boss Adam Weaver said: “It would be a great shame for our journey in the BTCC to come to an unexpected end, especially off the back of such an incredible season for us. However, if it does become the end of our story then what a fantastic chapter!

“We are still working tirelessly to put things together with existing partners and to attract new ones, but it’s all having to happen a little faster than we had planned. This makes things a bit more difficult, but we haven’t given up yet.”