Dan Zelos will make his long awaited debut in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend at Donington Park after a last-minute call-up to the Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS line-up.
Zelos, who provisionally secured his third Vertu MINI CHALLENGE title at Knockhill two weeks ago, will move up into a race seat from his role as official reserve driver for the EXCELR8-run team alongside Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Nick Halstead.
The 26-year-old steps into the car vacated by former team-mate Ronan Pearson after he and the team agreed an amicable split ahead of the final three rounds of the year.
Although this weekend will mark his debut in Britain’s premier racing series, Zelos is no stranger to BTCC fans having been part of the support package since 2014 when he joined the Ginetta Junior Championship grid.
After two years in the series, Zelos moved into senior competition for the first time in 2016 in the Renault Clio Cup before switching into the MINI CHALLENGE in 2019, where he kicked off his relationship with the EXCELR8 team.
Scoring his maiden win at Brands Hatch, Zelos went on to finish third in the championships and won the Rookie Cup before going to secure Graduate Cup honours the following year.
The 2021 season saw him complete the set of championship titles as he clinched overall honours following after a season-long battle with Max Bird, and although he was unable to defend his crown the following year, Zelos bounced back to take a second title in 2023.
With one weekend left to run, Zelos has already taken an unassailable lead in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE to become the first three-time champion, adding to an impressive record that has already seen him score more wins, podiums, pole positions and fastest laps than anyone else.
Whilst this weekend will mark his race debut in the BTCC, Zelos has previous experience of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N having taken part in the two-day Goodyear tyre test at Snetterton during the 2022 mid-season break.
Discussions over who will be at the wheel of the car for the final two events of the season - at Silverstone and Brands Hatch - are ongoing.
Dan Zelos, #45 Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said;
“Obviously it’s a shame that Ronan won’t be in the car for the rest of the season as he is someone who I have raced with as a team-mate and who I value as a friend, but on a personal level, I’m thrilled to have the unexpected opportunity to join the BTCC grid at Donington Park.
“I was all set for a weekend coaching EXCELR8’s drivers in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and now all of a sudden, I’m going to be getting coached by the other drivers on how to get the best out of the Hyundai instead! Competing in the BTCC is what me and my family have been working towards throughout my career and even if this weekend turns out to be a one-off, I’ll be able to say we got there.
“Taking my place on the grid is going to be a huge honour, particularly with a team that I have shared so much success with through the years. As a driver, you always go out to try and win but I’m going into the weekend being realistic as I’m up against a strong field that has been racing all season.
“I hope to put on a competitive showing and fight in the pack, but at the same time I want to keep my nose clean and not get mixed up in any trouble. Most importantly, I want to keep a smile on my face, but I can’t see that being a problem!”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, said:
“Although the circumstances are unexpected, we are pleased to be able to give Dan the long-overdue opportunity to make his BTCC debut. He has shown himself to be more than deserving of a place on the grid and we are confident that he will do a solid job when he gets behind the wheel of the Hyundai this weekend.
“There is no pressure on him in terms of results, but we know from experience that he will do the best job possible across the weekend and I fully expect him to take this chance with both hands.”
