Tony Gilham will make the step up to the British Touring Car Championship after racing for the past three seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Tony will be joining James Nash at Triple Eight Engineering as they embark on the 2011 season with the Vauxhall Vectra’s from last season.

“The BTCC is something I’ve wanted to do for an awful long time,” said Gilham. “I had opportunities to go with several other teams. However, following the withdrawal of a sponsor who had a big interest in a certain marque one of the offers had to be ruled one out.”

“Nevertheless, and with all due respect to all of the other offers once I’d heard of Triple Eight’s interest in me and met with their management team, my mind was made up.”

“Decisions like these are never easy to make, but I’m sure that by working with Triple Eight it will help me gain the knowledge and experience necessary for a successful BTCC campaign.”

Gilham finished 9th in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last season with his best finish being 5th at Rockingham whilst driving for Re-Design Racing.

“I can’t wait now for Brands Hatch and the first round. It’s my local track too so I know that they’ll be a lot of support.”

Gilham will be making his debut for a team that has great pedigree in the British Touring Cars with the team taking four consecutive team titles from 2001-’04 as well as winning the same title in ’08 and ’09. The team have also taken Plato, Muller, Thompson and Giovanardi to the drivers title too during the last ten years.

Ian Harrison, Triple Eight Engineering team boss added, “I am pleased to welcome Tony to the team,” said Harrison. “We’ve been keeping an eye on a number of drivers running outside of the BTCC for a little while now and Tony was one of those who caught the eye. I’m sure he’ll settle into things very quickly and surprise a few people too.”

It’s yet to be announced but rumours are saying that Gilham will continue to use the pink and green colour scheme which he used in the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Photo Credit: Pete Mainey (www.psmmotorsportimages.co.uk)

James Mappin is the editor-in-chief covering the British Touring Car Championship. You can contact him at james@btcccrazy.co.uk, on twitter @BTCCCrazy or on his personal twitter account @jamesmappin.