Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship series organiser, TOCA, has confirmed that Technical Director Peter Riches will retire from the position at the end of the 2022 campaign.Â
Having enjoyed an illustrious career in Britainâs premier motorsport series which has spanned four decades, Peterâs expertise have been paramount in relation to the technical developments the championship has made over the years.Â
Come the end of the year, he will have worked at more than 320 race events, 820 races and 30 seasons.Â
While throughout 2023 Peter will be retained as a consultant in order to assist the TOCA Technical team, his retirement will see Sam Riches step into the role, having also worked within the BTCC for more than 20 seasons himself, importantly providing a seamless transition moving forwards.
âThis is something weâve been preparing for, and I feel ready to retire, the world is so different now to where we started,â said Peter. âI had a set of scales in the pit lane and a boost control system and that was it basically, and now weâve got a 40-foot trailer full of kit, the world has moved on!
â[As a consultant] next year, Iâll be in more of a guiding role, maintaining the things weâve done in the past and ensuring the wheel doesnât get reinvented and become square in order to have a smooth transition. What we donât want to do is change the direction weâve been going in, so my knowledge will still be there if required.â
Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: âPeterâs retirement will mark a significant change for the championship but Iâm confident that it will be a successful transition as Sam takes the reins.Â
âHaving been an integral part of the BTCC since 1993, Peterâs departure will be felt throughout the TOCA paddock, but weâre pleased to be retaining his services as a consultant throughout the 2023 season and wish him all the best in his retirement.â