JACKSON RETURNS TO BTCC AT THRUXTON IN RML CHEVROLET

20 April 2009: Warwickshire motor racing star Mat Jackson will return to competition at Thruxton this weekend (26 April), driving a privately-run RML Chevrolet Lacetti in the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Mat, 27 years-old, finished the 2008 BTCC season as runner-up with his family team Jacksons M-Sport, but says that the move to top touring car squad RML - which over the years has claimed eight BTCC titles - will provide him with even greater resources than before.

"Hopefully, this is the start of a new and very positive chapter in my career," says Mat. "It's the chance to move on from a very well run but nevertheless quite small team to a bigger entity. RML is one of the very best teams on the grid - its history and results show that. Furthermore, it runs Chevrolet's cars in the World Touring Car series so it knows the Lacetti inside out."

Mat, based in Henley-In-Arden, cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the car, which won in the hands of Jason Plato at BTCC's opening round at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago. Having won five races himself last season, Jackson is hopeful he can repeat the success at Hampshire circuit Thruxton on Sunday. "The Lacetti has got a stonking engine and its straightline speed was there for all to see at Brands Hatch. Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the calendar and I've won there before in the BTCC so it all points to a positive weekend."

Speaking on the team's latest signing, RML Chief Executive Ray Mallock commented: "I'm delighted to welcome Mat to the team and to confirm that we will be appearing at the next event. I know I speak for everyone at the factory when I say we cannot wait to see Mat in the car. He really proved his enviable abilities last year - ten podiums and a second place finish in the championship standings, competing against some far more experienced drivers just shows Mat really deserves to be on the grid in 2009. Combine this with the Lacetti favouring the high speed straights of Thruxton and it should prove to be an exciting pairing."

The car will carry the logo of Oxfordshire-based traffic information consultancy PCC UK Ltd. Managing Director Paul Castle said: "We have been proud supporters of Mat since 2006, and after such an action-packed season last year, we are delighted that Mat is back on track. Thruxton weekend also coincides with the relaunch of PCC UK Ltd, so this is a great opportunity to create a real buzz in the new company."