Infiniti enters 2015 British Touring Car Championship with new team

Nissan's luxury vehicle division is backing a team led by experienced racer Derek Palmer, who will drive one of the Q50-based NGTC contenders.

Fellow Super Touring competitor Richard Hawken, who has previously tested with current BTCC squad Speedworks, is the other driver.

The Support Our Paras charity is also part of the not-for-profit team, which will compete under the Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing banner.

The outfit, to be based in a newly refurbished HQ at Mallory Park, will include a number of injured paratroopers. It hopes to bring one through the junior racing ranks to join the driving strength in future.

Infiniti regional director for North Europe Steve Oliver said: "To have an Infiniti on the starting grid in the BTCC next year will be an exciting event on its own, but to have the car represent the Parachute Regiment's main charity makes it exceptionally worthwhile.

"Infiniti is establishing itself as a main player in the premium sector in the UK, with sales on the increase and a new design centre in London. From next year we will manufacture the first Infiniti for Europe outside of Japan from the plant based in Sunderland.

"These racecars reinforce our commitment to the UK."

Team principal Palmer said: "We are aware of the challenges ahead of us, but with the united forces of The Paras and Infiniti, we believe we have the power to deliver results in the BTCC."

The introduction of the team coincides with the amalgamation of two charities, the Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust and the Parachute Regiment Charity, to form Support Our Paras.

Afghanistan Trust CEO Colin Smith, who will become director of operations for the new charity, said: "This is something totally different. It's employing injured paratroopers and they can eventually make a career out of this; that has never happened before."

Series boss Alan Gow will loan two TOCA BTCC Licenses for Infiniti's first season.

"I keep two TBLs up my sleeve for a two-car manufacturer team," Gow told AUTOSPORT. "It's great for the championship to have a new manufacturer and particularly a premium brand such as Infiniti.

"There's a great initiative behind the team too, with the Support Our Paras charity being such a worthwhile cause."

Nissan contested the BTCC for much of the Super Touring era of the 1990s, taking the drivers' title with Laurent Aiello in 1999, its last season in the series (pictured).