Ex-F1 man West joins BTCC management.

Former Williams sponsorship director Richard West has been appointed to manage the new-look British Touring Car Championship next season.

With the supertouring formula being replaced by a form of super-production category in 2001, and British Motorsport Promoters [BMP] taking over the reins from TOCA, the organisers were determined to bring in an experienced figure to lead the revolution. In West, they got an individual with substantial F1 experience - with McLaren and Arrows as well as Williams - and one with current motorsport involvement via his role with the European Formula F3000 operation and its two-seater promotional programme.

West will work closely with series promoters Octagon Marketing and CART specialist Chas Conklin to bring the new-look BTCC to the public's attention, after several seasons in which interest in the series has waned.

"Richard and Chas' knowledge and experience, as well as the depth of resources that BMP and Octagon Marketing can bring to bear on all aspects of the BTCC, reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the success of the championship, and enhancing its reputation as the gold standard of motorsport in the UK," commented BMP director Rob Bain.