Daniel Welch (racing driver)
Daniel John Welch is a British racing driver. During his career he has mostly driven for his family team, Welch Motorsport. He drove in the British Touring Car Championship from 2011 to 2016. He is the son of former British rallycross driver John Welch.
Racing career
Born in Aldershot, Hampshire, Welch first began racing in the Formula Renault UK series, but never completed a full season. In 2007, he switched to tin tops, racing in the SEAT Cupra Championship. He raced SEATs for the next few years in several one-make championships, taking two wins in the British SEAT Cupra Championship.British Touring Car Championship
Welch Motorsport (2011–2016)
In 2011, Welch stepped up to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, once again driving for his family team in a Proton Gen-2, built to the then-new NGTC regulations. He competed in the final half of the season from Snetterton onwards, finishing 22nd in the Drivers' Championship, having secured his first BTCC point at the penultimate race of the season at Silverstone.Welch continued to race in the BTCC in 2012. He had his best weekend of the season at Oulton Park, finishing sixth in Race 1 and then holding off Matt Neal to claim fourth in Race 2. For this he won the HiQ Champagne Moment award, as voted for by fans. Welch finished the season 15th in the Drivers' Championship.
Welch and his team continued to compete in the BTCC in 2013, finishing 18th in the Drivers' Championship with a best result of 6th at Knockhill. Welch finished 32nd in the 2014 Drivers' Championship after a disappointing season in which the team struggled with their new self-built engines.
After a difficult 2015 season, Welch revealed plans to sell their pair of Proton Gen-2 cars at the end of the season.