Team HARD. Racing has announced that Carl Boardley will remain with the team for the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, driving the outfit’s recently acquired BMW 1 Series.
Boardley, a multiple National Hot Rod World Champion, returns to the squad he made his BTCC debut with back in 2018. He has also competed in the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup with Team HARD.
The 1 Series has been purchased from West Surrey Racing and Boardley is champing at the bit to get behind the wheel.
“I’m over the moon to be back in the BTCC for 2020,” said Boardley. “I will admit that the 2019 season had its demons, but we used it to find our feet and understand the workings of the BTCC.
“The car has the potential to mix it at the front, so when this opportunity became available, I just had to jump at the chance.
“There were several options available but when WSR mentioned the availability of an established race-winning car, I couldn’t help but take an interest.
“I have a great working relationship with Tony and his Team HARD. Racing squad, so this is a fantastic fit for everyone involved.
“I’m really looking forward to trying the BMW 1 Series out over the coming months as we aim to hit the ground running at the Donington Park season opener.”
Managing Director, Tony Gilham is pleased to welcome Boardley back for a second successive season and is looking to utilise his experience to improve on 2019’s breakthrough showing.
“We have developed a great relationship with Carl over the years he been with us and the 2019 season was a challenging one,” said Gilham. “But there were still moments when Carl was able to demonstrate his natural ability behind the wheel.
“I’m delighted that we have been able to bring the BMW name to our team, I loved the BTCC car I drove back in 2012 and I’m glad that Carl could get a deal with WSR to get them to hand over their hugely successful 1 Series.
“We have relative inexperience with rear-wheel drive machinery in the BTCC but I firmly believe that Carl is the man to help steer us in the right direction with it. His years of experience and race engineering ability are really going to aid development and understanding.
“I’m sure much of the BTCC paddock and racing enthusiasts know, that our time with our beloved Volkswagen CC’s is coming to an end due to the current regulations which means we have a maximum of two years left with these cars.
“It’s a good time to start exploring all avenues as we look for a worthy successor. With the extensive developments we’ve made to the CC’s and the addition of the BMW, this is the perfect start to the process!”
