Collard is back with WSR

Rob Collard has been a mainstay of the West Surrey Racing team since 2010 and in that time he has taken nine victories and played an instrumental part in helping West Surrey Racing to win a manufacturers' championship, two overall teams' championships and an independent teams' championship.

2016 was Collard's most competitive season to date, leading the standings at one point and finishing fifth overall in points, narrowly missing out on the championship at the season finale. Collard also made up over one hundred and forty places from his starting position across the course of last season - not only awarding him the Dunlop #ForeverForward Trophy but also proving his reputation as a tough and fierce competitor.

Collard on his way to victory at Donginton Park last year

Commenting on the news, 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. 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. With Colin (Turkington) and Andrew (Jordan) 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 principal Dick Bennetts stated “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.”

With two former champion team-mates in Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan coupled with an ever improving BMW 125i, Collard will be aiming for the title and WSR have fast become one of the main title favourites heading into 2017.

Image: gethampshire.co.uk

Words: Jordan Hines (@JordanHines33)

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