COLLARD RETURNS FOR TITLE SHOT
Series veteran commits to team to race BMW 125i M Sport
Rob Collard will rejoin the WSR team for this season’s British Touring Car Championship alongside former title-winners Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan.
fifth in the overall points, but was awarded the Dunlop Forever Forward award as the man who had completed the most overtaking during the year.
The 48-year-old, a 13-time race winner in the BTCC, has been with WSR for the last eight seasons consecutively and has driven the BMW 125i M Sport, which the outfit will field in 2017, since it was introduced four years ago.
Collard said: “It’s fantastic to be staying with WSR. 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.
“I plan to use the continuity with the team 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.
“With Colin and Andrew as my team-mates, I think we have the strongest line-up in the championship and I can’t wait to start testing the latest development of the BMW later this month.”
Team boss Dick Bennetts added: “We’re very pleased to continue our partnership with Rob.
“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.”
Collard, a former Independents Trophy winner, will be with the team for a 10th season. He led the BTCC standings at the halfway point in 2016 before dropping to