West Surrey Racing has confirmed Rob Collard will complete its three-car line-up for this year’s British Touring Car Championship.
Collard, who had been heavily linked with the drive in recent weeks, played an instrumental part in WSR’s teams and manufacturer success last season, including two race victories amid six podiums en route to fifth overall in the standings.
He also enjoyed the equal highest number of fastest laps, sharing four apiece with then-team mate Jack Goff, and was awarded the Dunlop #ForeverForward award for making up 140 racing positions over the course of the campaign.
For Collard, the deal marks a decade racing in the BTCC under WSR’s banner. He will drive the latest version of the WSR designed and built BMW 125i M Sport this season. His first testing action of the winter will be in Spain starting on February 27th.
“It’s fantastic to be staying with WSR,” admitted Collard.
“They have a pedigree like no other team in the BTCC and the level of professionalism and preparation that has been key to their success is clear to see in everything they do.
“This will be my 10th season with the team and I plan to use that continuity to my advantage. I took my first BTCC win and my first podium with WSR and now my aim is to take my first title with them too.”
Team Principal Dick Bennetts was elated with the signatory of Collard, admitting he could prove to be a championship challenger again with his vast experience of the BMW 1-series.
“We’re very pleased to continue our partnership with Rob, who has raced with WSR for the past seven seasons – including the entire BMW 125i M Sport programme. He’s very much part of the family here, is one of the best drivers in the BTCC for pure racing ability and played a pivotal role in WSR’s constructors’ and teams’ title successes in 2016. I don’t see any reason why he can’t be a title contender again.”