TRIPLE British Touring Car Championship winner Gordon Shedden has shocked the sport by announcing he won't compete in this year's event.

The 38-year-old has quit Halfords Yuasa Racing for what the team say is a "new challenge" following a glittering 11-year career in the BTCC.

Shedden, business development manager at Knockhill, first joined Honda in its Team Halfords guise in 2006 and completed three seasons for the squad in his initial stint.

He claimed 10 victories and a best championship finish of third as he immediately made his mark in Britain's premier motor sport series before rejoining Honda in 2010.

The man affectionately known as 'Flash' within the paddock has since gone on to claim a further 38 races wins and a hat-trick of drivers crowns in 2012, 2015 and 2016, before missing out on an historic third successive title last year.

Shedden said: "Today is a really difficult and emotional day for me. I can confirm I will not be competing in the British Touring Car Championship in 2018, which obviously means I will not be racing with Honda and Team Dynamics. They have been part of my life for the last 11 years and I have been made to feel a part of the family.

"Steve and Matt Neal gave me a chance in 2006, and we havenā€™t looked back since. From a Fiesta racer to a triple British Touring Car Champion, I could not have dreamed of the success we have achieved together.

"That success, along with Mattā€™s three championships, is a testament to the hard work, determination and passion that is intrinsic in the team.

"To Steve, Matt, [Technical Director] Barry Plowman and everyone at Team Dynamics I will be forever grateful, in particular my race engineer Eddie Hinckley, who has engineered my car since 2006!

"I am very lucky to have had such a successful partnership with the team, Honda and all our sponsors. We have been on a huge journey together, achieving multiple Teamsā€™, Driversā€™ and Manufacturersā€™ Championships.

"Along the way, we have had a lot of fun and created memories I will take and cherish forever. It may be the end of a chapter, but it wonā€™t be the end of the friendships I have made."

David Hodgetts, managing director with Honda UK,commented: "I would like to thank Gordon for the key role he has played in Hondaā€™s BTCC successes over the past decade.

"He has made a tremendous contribution to the team, not only winning three Driversā€™ titles but also helping us to secure five Manufacturersā€™ crowns and six Teamsā€™ trophies, which is an outstanding accomplishment by any measure.

"Indeed, his 48 career victories place him fourth on the all-time list ā€“ and we are immensely proud that he achieved every single one of them in Honda cars.

"I wish Gordon all the best in his future career."

Shedden's team-mate Neal added: "Gordon is a part of our family and success story. Heā€™s got a new and exciting opportunity and we would never hold him back from that.

"We wish him the very best of success in his new challenge ā€“ heā€™s a phenomenal competitor and heā€™s certainly talented enough! One thing is for sure ā€“ despite ā€˜Flashā€™ racing elsewhere this season, heā€™ll always remain part of our Dynamics family and part of our team."