Team BMW will field a revised line-up this weekend as Rob Collard has been ruled out of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship events at Rockingham and Knockhill on medical grounds.
Collard was involved in high-speed incidents during Races 1 and 2 at Snetterton; the second of which meant that his BMW 125i M Sport was unrepairable on-site and also left him with a concussion.
Having been under observation by the TOCA medical team since a previous heavy impact at Silverstone in September 2017, the driver from Eversley, Hampshire, was prevented from taking part in the third race of the day at Snetterton and will miss the Rockingham and Knockhill events as well.
A substitute driver will be named in the coming days while Rob works on returning to the BTCC as quickly as possible.
Rob Collard said: “After suffering a serious concussion in a crash at Silverstone in 2017, I was cleared to return to racing earlier this year while remaining under close monitoring by the TOCA medical team. Following a pair of high-speed, high-impact accidents in Races 1 and 2 at Snetterton, and after reviewing the results of a concussion test with the medics at the track, it was ruled that I was unfit to participate in the special ‘Diamond Double’ race and that I should not race at Rockingham or Knockhill either. I’m absolutely gutted for Team BMW, all my sponsors and supporters and I’d like to thank the TOCA medical team for their professionalism and support, as always.”
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said: “I really feel for Rob. Having first competed in the BTCC together in 2005, we’ve experienced some incredible highs including back-to-back Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles over the past two seasons and – most recently – his win at Oulton Park in June. We hope the doctors give him the all-clear to return very soon and, on behalf of everyone at Team BMW and WSR, I’d like to wish him a speedy recovery.”