8:00am Sunday 21st March 2010
HOOK British Touring Car driver Rob Collard has switched teams for the forthcoming season, which starts on Easter Sunday at his home track of Thruxton.
The 41-year-old will remain driving a BMW, but for the West Surrey Racing (WSR) and not Motorbase team for whom he has driven for the past two years, which he recorded their first race wins.
WSR last season helped Colin Turkington win the Drivers Championship and Collard is no stranger to the team having driven for them in seasons 2005 and 2006 in an MG.
The Hampshire driver will be joined by Andy Neate, while the team are still in negiatations with Turkingham to make it a three BMW set-up.
Talking about his move Collard said: "I am very pleased to be back at West Surrey Racing again and I feel it gives me the best possible chance in the Championships.
"WSR produce a good realible car that will give me every chance to be up with the leaders. I really think I can break into the top three of the Championship this season."
His first test in the car was at Rockingham last week and Collard added: "The car felt really good and nice to drive. So with a couple more tests we certainly be ready for Thruxton."
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts said: "It will be great to have Rob back with us in a BMW, as he already has two years' experience in the (BMW) 320si. We are really looking forward to seeing how he performs with our set-ups on the car."
This week, Collard continued his build-up to the season with another testing session for WSR at Oulton Park, before taking part in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday.
Tickets for Thruxton on April 4 are now available at £22 per adult and can be booked in advance at the website barc.net or by calling the hot line on 01264 882200. Admission for children is free. Once through the gate, there is also access to the BTCC's hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout session offering the public including families the chance to meet the star drivers for autographs, photos and team give-aways.
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