Simon Murray has begun his new role of British Touring Car Championship Sporting Director, having taken over from long-serving Championship Co-ordinator Dan Mayo.

In what is a new all-encompassing position, Murray will oversee the sporting and administrative operation of the BTCC, issuing regulations, managing team/driver relations, and ensuring smooth event delivery among many other tasks.

The Northern Irishman’s first significant motorsport position came in Dubai with the ASN of the United Arab Emirates, where he oversaw a vast range of sporting, technical and safety responsibilities.

From there, Murray then joined the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in 2018 – most-recently based in Geneva as Deputy Director of Circuit Sport.

During his storied career he has also held the position of Category Manager for Touring Cars and GTs, which included the overseeing of the FIA GT and Touring Car Commissions, as well as organising the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said the hugely experienced Murray. “It’s a major change and the next step of my career. I’ve been working away at international level for a number of years, but this is the pinnacle of motorsport in the UK, and the role has far greater scope.

“It’s certainly a step up in prestige in terms of the championship and role. It’s cliché but like so many others I grew up playing the TOCA game and went to watch a BTCC race weekend at Donington Park in 1994. Growing up in Northern Ireland though it was mainly motorcycle road racing, karting or watching F1 on TV with my Dad.

“This opportunity gives me the chance to get involved from the ground up and I can’t wait for that. Working as part of a compact, highly professional and experienced team is something I’m immensely looking forward to.”

Murray has had the benefit of an extensive handover from Mayo and now works closely alongside both the Communications and Technical Directors, as well as under the stewardship of Chief Executive Alan Gow.

Mayo also stays within the British Automobile Racing Club family having undertaken the role of Circuit Manager at Croft Circuit.

“I had the opportunity to work alongside and shadow Dan for the final three events of last year,” concluded Stuart. “He has been doing this job for 25 years and his phone would ring 20 times an hour about anything and everything.

“They are big shoes to step into, it will be a great challenge, but he has left this role in a fantastic position for me to continue with. He hasn’t disappeared of course and his new role at Croft means we’ll often be crossing paths. If I can do nearly as good a job as Dan has done over many years, then I’d be absolutely delighted.”