THE wraps are off his team's car for the upcoming season and Rory Butcher says he has settled in well as he plots a 2021 title tilt.

In January, the 34-year-old Fife race ace, whose dad, Derek, is the CEO and owner of Knockhill Racing Circuit, was unveiled as one of Toyota Gazoo Racing UK's drivers for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) campaign.

Having finished fifth in the drivers' standings last year behind the Ford Focus ST of Motorbase Performance, Butcher will make his debut for a manufacturer-backed outfit this time around, with whom he will team up with Northampton-born Sam Smelt.

Last week, the Speedwords Motorsport-run squad unveiled its contender, sporting a livery reminiscent of the brand’s ultra-successful, multiple World Championship-winning FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) WEC (World Endurance Championship) and WRC (World Rally Championship) models.

Butcher, who will make his 100th BTCC start when the season begins at Thruxton on May 9, is joining a Speedworks team that is expanding to run two cars in the series for the first time in eight years.

He will be looking to build on two successive fifth-place finishes – which, in 2019, also saw him claim the Independent Drivers' Championship and the Jack Sears Trophy – and a record of six wins, 14 podium finishes and three pole positions since his competition debut in 2017.

Butcher and Smelt got behind the wheel of the Motul-backed Toyota Corollas last week as pre-season testing began, and he is determined to fight for the title this season.

"I've got to say, I've settled into the team very well," Butcher commented.

"All the guys and girls have made me feel extremely welcome from the outset and everybody is so focused on the objective of fighting for the championship, pushing hard in every single area to ensure we really maximise our performance.

"I've been getting to know the mechanics and my new engineer, Paul Ridgway, who has been involved in the BTCC for a long time and arrives with an excellent reputation. My brother-in-law, Gordon Shedden – who worked with Paul in the FIA World Touring Car Cup a couple of years ago – gave him a ringing endorsement too so I'm excited to see what we can accomplish together.

"The whole vibe right now is hugely positive and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the first test at Donnington Park. I've been counting down the days ever since I signed up and, having raced closely against the Corolla over the past couple of years, I can't wait to climb behind the wheel for myself and discover what all the buzz is about!

"It will definitely stand out on the BTCC grid and I'm so excited to be carrying such iconic colours this year."

Christian Dick, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK team principal, added: "We’re delighted to show off the Corolla’s 'new clothes' for 2021!

"I have no doubt that the cars will look even better at speed, and we are all excited to go testing this week to try out everything we've been working on back at base over the winter months.

"We are quietly confident of taking another step forward with the Corolla this year and, once the action gets under way, we look forward to seeing the Toyota Gazoo Racing colours where they belong – right at the front of the pack."

Every race in this year's BTCC – which will visit Knockhill over the weekend of August 14-15 – will be broadcast live on ITV4.