MG signs Smith and Lloyd for 2017 BTCC season

Taylor-Smith moves to MG after spending  last season with Team BKR, whilst Lloyd will embark on his first full season in the series having enjoyed an impressive stint with Team Eurotech last year.

Both drivers are well known to the Triple Eight squad, with Lloyd having made his BTCC debut with the team back in 2010 at Croft, and Taylor-Smith making his first appearance on the grid the following season at Knockhill.

"I'm happy that these guys will deliver some solid results for the team," Triple Eight boss Ian Harrison said. "Aron is a proven race winner, and we know Daniel has the speed. With more BTCC race experience under his belt, he will be running at the front.

"The championship looks wide open this year with plenty of other changes in the line-up, and we expect to be right in the mix."

MG Motor Head of Sales & Marketing Matthew Cheyne said he was also pleased with the new-look line-up, and took time to thank outgoing drivers Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton.

"First and foremost I am delighted to welcome Aron and Daniel both to the MG RCiB Racing team and into the wider MG family," he said.

"Triple Eight are really excited by the pace and potential that these two have on the race track but fully understand the importance of the work the drivers do with the brand off it.

"With everyone so positive and upbeat about the season ahead, we just can’t wait to get going and look forward to the formal unveilings on Media Day at Donington Park.

"I should finish by adding a note of thanks to the outgoing driver pairing of Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton. These guys really understood what it meant to represent MG on and off the track and are a real benchmark for Aron and Daniel on what we can deliver through the BTCC programme."

Matt Salisbury / TouringCarTimes