Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff will contest the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for Team JCT600 with GardX after a deal was struck for the race-winning pairing to remain at the squad for a second successive season.
This will be Collard’s seventh consecutive BTCC campaign with the West Surrey Racing-run outfit while team-mate Tordoff joined under the new JCT600 and GardX-backed banner in 2015.
An impressive season for the duo resulted in five overall wins for the team, with Collard taking three victories, while Tordoff ended the year as the highest non-champion in the ultra-competitive field.
Such was the success of the team’s maiden campaign that it was keen to build on momentum with a settled and proven line-up. Whilst much about the team has an air of continuity about it, the same cannot be said for the new look Team JCT600 with GardX BMWs.
The base white machines have made way for a striking silver and blue livery design, whilst the multiple championship winning cars have also undergone an extensive development programme during the off-season.
Further ties have also been made with manufacturer BMW appointing Tordoff as an Ambassador for the giant German marque, whilst GardX becomes an official supplier to BMW with its ProtectX protection products.
The silver bullet BMW 125i M Sports will now embark on a pre-season testing programme over the coming weeks with both Tordoff and Collard enjoying significant time behind the wheel. The JCT600 with GardX squad will then contest the only official test day during the BTCC Season Launch event at Donington Park on 22 March, before the opening round of the season takes place at Brands Hatch in early April.
Rob Collard said: “I am delighted to be continuing with Team JCT600 with GardX and extending my long relationship with WSR. I enjoyed a fast but sometimes inconsistent season in 2015, but there’s little doubting that we have the ingredients to fight for championships again this season. The whole team works well together and I have a good relationship with Sam, so we’re really looking forward to another successful season in the BTCC.”
Sam Tordoff said: “I really enjoyed my first season with Team JCT600 with GardX and I can’t wait to get going in 2016. Everyone at WSR is so friendly, experienced and hugely talented, which is why I know this is the best place for my career. It was fantastic to score some wins last year but now we need to do so on a consistent basis in order to challenge for the championship. We’re all focussed and driven to achieve our goals so bring it on!”
Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: “It is great to have both Sam and Rob continue in the Team JCT600 with GardX WSR BMWs this year. Considering that Sam has only done three years in the BTCC and only one in the RWD BMW, I reckon he’ll really shine this season. Rob really lifted his game in 2015, to the point where three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx acknowledged his pace on race day. The guys have been working really hard through the winter to move the 125i M Sports on to a new level, as we all know just how competitive the BTCC is!"
