Martin Byford
Encyclopedia
Martin Byford is a British
racing driver from Colchester
. He is currently competing in the BTCC
for AmD Milltek
.
and Formula 3 cars. He later moved onto tin tops, racing in several club series.
He moved into the British GT Championship
in 2000, where he achieved a few podium finishes. For 2001 he raced in the Renault Clio Cup UK
, finishing 3rd in the championship after a successful debut season. Martin remained in the championship for 2002, however he only managed 4th position in the championship.
Martin's next championship titles were the 2003 Super Coupe Cup and 2005 Mazda MX5 Championship. In 2006 he returned to the Clio Cup and finished 5th in the championship, in 2007 he won the championship despite not winning a race.
2008 saw Martin move into the Seat Cupra Cup, where he finished 3rd in the championship after achieving three wins.
Budget issues prevented Martin from racing full time for the next few seasons, until he was given the chance to race for AmD Milltek
in the BTCC
after their previous driver Tom Onslow-Cole
left the team.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
racing driver from Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
. He is currently competing in the BTCC
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
for AmD Milltek
AmD Essex
AmD Technik Essex is a British car tuning company and auto racing team.The company was formed in 1987, specialising in the Volkswagen-Audi marque, forming their own VW-backed race team in 1990. They went on to win many championships with AmD-built and tuned Volkswagen Golfs...
.
Racing career
Martin began racing in single seaters, mainly in Formula FordFormula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
and Formula 3 cars. He later moved onto tin tops, racing in several club series.
He moved into the British GT Championship
British GT Championship
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship is a sports car racing series currently based in the United Kingdom, although they have had select races outside of Britain in the past few years. The series was created by the British Racing Drivers' Club in 1993 and for its first two seasons was called the...
in 2000, where he achieved a few podium finishes. For 2001 he raced in the Renault Clio Cup UK
Renault Clio Cup
The Renault Clio Cup is a One-make racing series created and managed by Renault Sport. As the name suggests, Renault Clio cars are used, and are grouped in 15 national championships and an International Cup.-Championships:...
, finishing 3rd in the championship after a successful debut season. Martin remained in the championship for 2002, however he only managed 4th position in the championship.
Martin's next championship titles were the 2003 Super Coupe Cup and 2005 Mazda MX5 Championship. In 2006 he returned to the Clio Cup and finished 5th in the championship, in 2007 he won the championship despite not winning a race.
2008 saw Martin move into the Seat Cupra Cup, where he finished 3rd in the championship after achieving three wins.
Budget issues prevented Martin from racing full time for the next few seasons, until he was given the chance to race for AmD Milltek
AmD Essex
AmD Technik Essex is a British car tuning company and auto racing team.The company was formed in 1987, specialising in the Volkswagen-Audi marque, forming their own VW-backed race team in 1990. They went on to win many championships with AmD-built and tuned Volkswagen Golfs...
in the BTCC
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
after their previous driver Tom Onslow-Cole
Tom Onslow-Cole
-Career:Onslow-Cole began his career in karting at the age of eight. He was the 2006 Renault Clio Cup champion, winning the title by 113 points from his nearest rival. This allowed him to graduate to the BTCC for the 2007 season...
left the team.