Jordan father and son to make history

Jordan father and son to make BTCC history Mike and Andrew Jordan will make motor racing history in 2008 when they race side by side in a two-car team in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.In the biggest story of the 50th anniversary season of the BTCC, the father and son team will race a pair of Honda Integras for Lichfield-based Team Eurotech, with backing from John Guest and Pirtek. The team will run the two Integras in matching livery, with the ex-Gordon Shedden 2006 car having recently been acquired from Team Halfords.While Mike will celebrate his 50th birthday shortly before heading into his third BTCC season, Andrew will still be 18 years old when the season begins. He will step up from contesting the 2007 Renault Clio Cup and the MSA British Rallycross Championship, which he currently leads overall with two rounds remaining."This is the culmination of a lot of hard work with our sponsors to get into this situation," said Mike. "I'm incredibly proud! For a small family team to raise sponsorship to go and do this is a huge achievement. The fact that it is going to happen is probably still sinking in at the moment."Jordan senior knows that graduating to the BTCC is a massive step for his son, but believes that the team environment is the ideal place for Andrew to learn about racing in the most competitive and prestigious race championship in Britain."I'll get a huge buzz from seeing Andrew develop," said Mike. "I've always enjoyed coaching young drivers and, unusually in racing, he's got a team mate who wants to help him improve. Well, that's until he out-qualifies me! It is a fantastic opportunity for both of us and I'm focussed on getting overall podiums."Mike is keen to stress that Andrew will be in a learning year in 2008. "There is no pressure on Andrew to perform from the team and our sponsors. This is the first year of a big plan for him."Andrew recognises that media attention will be significant, but he will take a typically calm and measured approach to the campaign. "There is no expectation on me at all. I'm just incredibly grateful for this amazing opportunity. I will learn a huge amount from Dad and I've got to make the most of it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance," he says. "I want to enjoy the whole experience and I'd like to get some top six finishes by the end of the season."Although the step up to a BTCC car from the Renault Clio is significant, Jordan junior previously jumped straight from a front-wheel drive Mini in Junior Rallycross into a 500bhp four-wheel drive Ford Focus supercar and was immediately on the pace. "It is a huge step-up, but I've proved in rallycross that I can make big steps. I just need to get some finishes under my belt at the start of the year. We've got a big test programme planned over the winter. I want to make a career out of racing and this is a massive opportunity."

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