THREE-time British Touring Car Championship winner Gordon Shedden has quit his Worcestershire team and the competition.

Shedden, 38, leaves Halfords Yuasa Racing, who have moved from Pershore to Droitwich, with former team-mate Matt Neal praising the "phenomenal competitor".

The Scot, known as Flash, departs for a new challenge ahead of the 2018 campaign with the team set to reveal his replacement.

He first signed for Honda in their Team Halfords guise in 2006, completing three seasons with 10 victories and a best championship finish of third.

Shedden rejoined in 2010 to claim 38 further race wins and a hat-trick of drivers’ crowns in 2012, 2015 and 2016 during a formidable partnership with fellow three-time champion Neal from Worcestershire.

He said: “It has been a really difficult and emotional day for me.

"I can confirm I will not be competing in the British Touring Car Championship in 2018 which obviously means I will not be racing with Honda and Team Dynamics.

"They have been part of my life for the last 11 years and I have been made to feel a part of the family.

“Steve and Matt Neal gave me a chance in 2006 and we haven’t looked back since.

"From a Fiesta racer to a triple champion, I could not have dreamed of the success we have achieved together.

"That success, along with Matt’s three championships, is testament to the hard work, determination and passion that is intrinsic in the team.

"To Steve, Matt, Barry Plowman (technical director) and everyone at Team Dynamics I will be forever grateful, in particular my race engineer Eddie Hinckley who has engineered my car since 2006.

“I am very lucky to have had such a successful partnership with the team, Honda and all our sponsors.

"We have been on a huge journey together, achieving multiple teams’, drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.

"Along the way, we have had a lot of fun and created memories I will take and cherish forever.

"It may be the end of a chapter but it won’t be the end of the friendships I have made.”

David Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK, said: “I would like to thank Gordon for the key role he has played in Honda’s BTCC successes over the past decade.

"He has made a tremendous contribution to the team, not only winning three drivers’ titles but also helping us to secure five manufacturers’ crowns and six teams’ trophies which is an outstanding accomplishment by any measure.

"Indeed, his 48 career victories place him fourth on the all-time list and we are immensely proud that he achieved every single one of them in Honda cars.

"I wish Gordon all the best in his future career.”

Neal said: “Gordon is a part of our family and success story.

"He’s got a new and exciting opportunity and we would never hold him back from that.

"We wish him the very best of success in his new challenge — he’s a phenomenal competitor and certainly talented enough!

"One thing is for sure — despite Flash racing elsewhere this season, he’ll always remain part of our Dynamics family and part of our team.”