At the age of 31, Dan Lloyd, a talented Yorkshireman and winner of four BTCC races, is embarking on an exciting new chapter in his motorsport career. He has recently joined the Toro Verde squad, a team striving to establish itself as a strong contender in the Porsche Carrera Cup. After making his BTCC debut back in 2010, Lloyd finally secured his first full season in the series in 2021. The following year, he achieved three victories alongside champion Tom Ingram in the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai squad. However, with the folding of his previous team, Team Hard Cupra, Lloyd found himself searching for a new opportunity for the 2024 season.
Lloyd’s career trajectory has come full circle with his move to Toro Verde. In 2012, he earned Porsche GB’s junior scholarship, which led to two successful seasons with Team Parker Racing, where he secured two wins. This initial success propelled him into an international GT career for several years. Now, he reunites with Toro Verde team boss and former British Formula 3000 ace, Julian ‘Jules’ Westwood, who was Lloyd’s engineer at Parker Racing a decade ago.
Lloyd expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “I’m really excited about it. I’ve got a good history with Porsche being their scholar, and traditionally I was more of a GT driver than a touring car driver. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of a winter, but making the decision to step away from touring cars feels right for me at this time. I’ll put everything into this. Like anything in motorsport, there are no right or wrong decisions.”
As Lloyd prepares for his stint in the Porsche Carrera Cup, he acknowledges the challenges ahead. He has yet to experience the current 992-spec Carrera Cup car but remains optimistic about the upcoming testing program scheduled to commence in March. Reflecting on his previous encounters with Porsche machinery, Lloyd shared, “I raced a GT3 Porsche in the Dubai 24 Hours three years ago, and in 2016, I did a couple of Carrera Cup rounds for In2 Racing, securing a second place at Brands Hatch. Fingers crossed I can get up to speed quickly. Toro Verde wanted a professional driver to support the team and the other drivers within it. I’m looking forward to working with Jules again and helping the team progress.”
Toro Verde’s Confidence in Lloyd
Toro Verde team boss, David Fairbrother, expressed his confidence in Lloyd’s abilities, highlighting his impressive track record. Fairbrother acknowledged that Lloyd had received numerous offers from different series, including the BTCC and British GT3, but ultimately chose to compete with Toro Verde. This decision serves as a testament to Lloyd’s belief in the team’s potential to deliver exceptional results.
As Lloyd embarks on this exciting new chapter, the motorsport world eagerly awaits his presence in the Porsche Carrera Cup. It is sure to be a thrilling season full of challenges and opportunities for both Lloyd and the Toro Verde team. With his experience and determination, there is no doubt that Lloyd will leave his mark on the series and make the most of this exciting new opportunity.
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