BTCC: Ryan Bensley to replace Michael Crees for Snetterton round

With the BTCC about to get back under way for the third race weekend of the season, Team Vertu announced that Ryan Bensley would replace Michael Crees for the round.

Marking this as Bensley’s debut in the BTCC, he will join the Team Vertu run Hyundai squad alongside Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan for the weekend at his home circuit. The team made the move to put him in the Millers Oils supported car which started the first six races with Crees in the car claiming points on two of those occasions, both at Brands Hatch Indy.

Crees was announced to have signed with the team earlier in the year before it was announced that Senna Proctor would share driving duties with Crees, jumping in the i30N Fastback for the second half of the season. Crees has been backed by Bensley himself through Mortgage Synergy with him now taking the opportunity to get behind the wheel himself.

Bensley has previously raced as a front runner in the Milltek Sport Civic Cup claiming 4th in the standings with Pro Alloys Racing in 2023. He would then go on to join TCR UK last year making his touring car debut. Stepping into the BTCC for the first time, the 40-year-old would be looking to make an impact with Team Vertu at his home circuit.

With the announcement, Michael Crees said: “This season for me is all about building for the future, and over the first two weekends of the year I feel I’ve been able to show what I can do despite the fact that I went into the opening round with no testing and having been out of a car for twelve months.

“Ryan is someone who has been a long-term commercial partner of mine through his mortgage business, and it’s always been his dream to be able to compete in the BTCC at Snetterton given it’s his home circuit. As I didn’t sign up for a full season and don’t have a championship to think about, this was the perfect opportunity to help him achieve that dream, and he’ll have my full support on track this weekend.”

Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ryan into the team this weekend at his home circuit and are looking forward to supporting him to achieve his goals on track. Although he has shown what he can do in other championships, we are fully aware that joining the BTCC grid is a big step up, and there is no pressure in terms of results.”