Rob Collard to join Andy Neate at WSR in 2010

Motorbase driver switches to title winning BTCC squad

10/03/2010 - Reigning BTCC champions West Surrey Racing (WSR) have announced that Rob Collard will join its line-up alongside Andy Neate for the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The surprise move follows two successful seasons with rival team Motorbase Performance for Collard, who clinched the squad's first two BTCC victories in 2009.

However, the 41-year-old from Hampshire already has extensive experience of working with WSR, having raced MGs for the team in 2005/6, and Collard claims the opportunity to return to the title winning outfit in 2010 was too good an opportunity to miss.

"This was too good an opportunity to turn down as I could see the WSR BMWs on track last year and at times they were just awesome," Collard told BTCC.net. "It was a very difficult decision for me to make a late switch from Motorbase. However, I had to look at what's best for my career, so to now be driving in a championship-winning team is a real bonus for me."

WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts added: "It will be great to have Rob back with us in a BMW, as he already has two years experience in the 320si. We are really looking forward to seeing how he performs with our set-ups on the car."

Bennetts also confirmed that he is currently working towards a three car programme in order to run reigning champion Colin Turkington alongside Collard and Neate.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will compete on the glorious Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit over May Bank Holiday weekend (1/2 May). Tickets are now on sale from £24 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or click on the link below.

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