SWINDON’S Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship racer Simon Belcher will take a year out from driving duties in 2016 to focus on the development and expansion of his team Handy Motorsport.

Having been a fixture in the UK’s biggest and best motor racing series for the past two seasons, Belcher will now concentrate fully on the management of his rapidly expanding squad, which is set to secure a second TBL (TOCA BTCC licence) to enable it to field two cars this year.

The news comes just a fortnight after Handy Motorsport announced the headline signing of multiple BTCC race-winner and veritable touring car fan favourite Rob Austin to spearhead its challenge for silverware as the squad ramps-up its presence in the high-profile category.

“Our long term plan is to become a front running team in, what is, the UK’s premier championship and 2016 is going to be such a critical year for Handy Motorsport,” said Belcher.

“The plans we have going forward mean I need to make a personal sacrifice, in terms of my own racing ambitions, in order to drive the team forward in a management role.

“I would have loved to embark on my third season in the BTCC after two incredibly enjoyable years behind the wheel to date, and it would have been great having Rob as a teammate.

“However, I have a bigger goal for the team, so I will sit this year out, with the aim of climbing back into the driving seat in 2017 when the expanded team is fully established.”

Notably, BTCC bosses have pre-approved Handy Motorsport’s procurement of one of the TBLs initially secured by Rob Austin’s eponymous team, providing Belcher’s squad with the perfect opportunity to double its presence on the BTCC grid.

Extended discussions are ongoing with a number of drivers regarding the potential second berth and it is hoped a team-mate for Austin could be announced within the next few weeks. In addition to his full-time team management role for the 2016 season, Belcher will also act as a reserve driver for Handy Motorsport should the need arise.

“Our initial focus was to finalise the deal with Rob for the coming season. Now that’s in place, we’re able to push forward with a view to the second car," he added.

“With the pre-approval of the second TBL, we’re in a great position to try and make a two-car team a reality this year.”

Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent will host the season-opening race meeting of the brand new BTCC campaign over the first weekend in April, while the official launch of the 2016 season will take place at Donington Park in Leicestershire on Tuesday, March 22.