Stephen Jelley to race ex-WSR BMW in 2018 BTCC with Team Parker

Jelley, a former single-seater and Porsche racer, returned to the BTCC last season after seven years racing sportscars.

However, he had a torrid season in the Focus and finished 34th in the standings, so Parker has invested in an ex-WSR BMW 125i M Sport.

"We knew things had to change for this year," said the 35-year-old, who won two races while driving for WSR in a BMW in 2009.

"I still had strong links with WSR and we started talking to them at the end of last season about a BMW.

"It was the only way I wanted to go."

Though WSR moved to the new B48 motor last year, Jelley's car will be fitted with a 2016-spec engine.

Jelley said: "The car fits like a glove already: everything is just where you want it to be. The engine bay is spotless. It is a proper racing car.

"I just want to get back to the sharp end. Anything we do this year will be an improvement on last year, but this gives us a chance to be competitive and to battle where we should be battling.

"I simply can't wait to get out there in this new car."

2018 BTCC line-up so far

WSR BMW: Colin Turkington, Rob Collard, Andrew Jordan
Team Dynamics Honda Civic: Matt Neal
, Dan Cammish
Team BMR Subaru Levorg: Ash Sutton, Jason Plato

Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis: Tom Ingram
Eurotech Racing Honda Civic: Jack Goff, Brett Smith, Matt Simpson

Motorbase Performance Ford Focus: Tom Chilton Sam Tordoff

Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra: Josh Cook, Senna Proctor
Ciceley Racing Mercedes A-Class: Adam Morgan, Tom Oliphant

HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta: Rob Austin
BTC Norlin Honda Civic: Chris Smiley, James Nash
Laser Tools Racing Mercedes A-Class: Aiden Moffat

Team Hard Volkswagen CC: Jake Hill, Mike Bushell, Michael Caine, Bobby Thompson

AmD Tuning Audi S3: Ollie Jackson, Sam Smelt
Team Parker Racing: Stephen Jelley