Michael Crees is making a sensational return to BTCC, having been announced as Bobby Thomson's replacement at Team HARD. 

Tony Gilham's outfit released a statement earlier this morning announcing Thompson's departure, stating that "the current economic climate, coupled with the increase in costs to compete has presented unprecedented challenges for the team. "

Having made his debut in the BTCC with Team HARD. Racing in 2018, Bobby Thompson returned to the team in 2022 after switching to GKR TradePriceCars.com for the 2020 season. He walked away with the Jack Sears Trophy last year and had enjoyed a consistent start to this year's campaign with five top-ten finishes so far.

Team HARD also went on to say: "The team wants to emphasise that this decision was not made lightly. Bobby has been an integral part of the team, he has met his targets on-track, his financial commitments for the season off it and his contributions to the racing program are deeply valued. Bobby has become one of the Team HARD. Racing family and his absence from the track for the remainder of the season is met with the greatest regret."

Soon afterwards, it was also announced that crowd-favourite 'Creesy' would be returning to the tin-top competition to take up the spare seat for the remainder of the season, back with the team he made his BTCC debut for back in 2019.

Both Crees' absence from the grid and the fan's pleas for him to return have been noticeable so far this season.

The Kent-based driver, who spent the opening few months of this season competing in the British GT Championship after leaving Power Maxed Racing in the summer, is relishing the challenge that awaits him back in the BTCC.

“I’m so excited to be returning to Team HARD. I have missed the family feel and even though I’ve been at other teams they have always made me and my family feel welcome.
“The team has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and it’s been showing in the results out on track. I’m super excited to jump in the Cupra, dust off some cobwebs and give it my best shot!”
The latest news tops off a very busy week for Team HARD.Racing, which started last week with Daryl DeLeon being promoted to the team after Jade Edwards' switch to One Motorsport with StarLine Racing.

Michael Crees will join Daniel Lloyd in the Autobrite Direct with Miller's Oils half of the garage and is set to make his first appearance when the BTCC returns after the summer break, at Croft on 29th & 30th July.

Chris Tetreault-Blay
​BTCC Journalist @ F1 Journal

Jade Edwards has re-joined One Motorsport for the remainder of the BTCC season, as the replacement for Will Powell. 

The Brackley-based outfit announced Powell's departure on Thursday, who has been removed from all of his role's within the team. Powell was not only a member of the driving team on the track, but also held a commercial position with Motus One, the company that merged with BTC Racing during the summer to form One Motorsport. 

The reason for Powell's departure has not yet been disclosed.

The news of the move came shortly after Team HARD announced Jade's departure, also citing that she was "remaining within the BTCC." 

It is an emphatic return for Jade Edwards as she returns to the team she raced for through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, back into the Honda Civic Type R that she already knows well and linking up again with former team-mate Josh Cook and Aidan Moffat.

One Motorsport currently sit 4th in the overall Team's standings and are leading the Independant Team's championship with 276 points.

Whilst Jade's sudden departure leaves an open seat in one of the Team HARD-run Cupra Leons, the team have been quick to announce the promotion of Daryl DeLeon, the winner of their acclaimed 2023 scholarship program, to replace Jade Edwards in the BTCC squad for the remainder of the season.

DeLeon has already impressed by not only establishing a commanding lead in the Radical UK championship, but also in his run-out in the Team HARD Cupra Leon a couple of weeks ago at the recent Goodyear tyre test at Donington Park.

Both drivers are expected to make their debuts for their new teams in a couple of weeks when the BTCC returns to Croft on 29th & 30th July, the first weekend back from the competition's mid-season break.


Chris Tetreault-Blay
​BTCC Journalist @ F1 Journal