Rob Collard fit for Brands Hatch but Will Burns misses out

Rob Collard has been passed fit to race in the final rounds of the BTCC season at Brands Hatch following his accident at Silverstone, although Will Burns has seen his campaign brought to an end by the same incident.

The pair were caught up in a clash in the opening race at Silverstone that was triggered by Collard going off on the run to Becketts with broken steering picked up when he was hit on the exit of Copse.

As Collard spun back across the track in front of the field, Burns was left with nowhere to go but into the stricken BMW, with both drivers requiring a trip to hospital for checks afterwards.

Collard, who saw his title hopes ended by the incident, will be able to compete this weekend, thanks in no small part to the work of his WSR team – which has built a new BMW 125i M Sport around a spare shell during the last ten days.

As well as aiding Colin Turkington in his bid for the title, Collard will hope to end the season on a high and add to the impressive seven podiums he has secured thus far.

“What happened at Silverstone was a massive blow to my championship, but despite a huge incident I’m race-fit and ready for Brands Hatch,” he said. “The team has done an incredible job to build a new car for me in just over a week, so I’m hoping to say thank you by finishing my season on a high.

“I have a key role to play in trying to secure the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ crowns for WSR and BMW and to support Colin in his battle for the Drivers’ title. Having consistently been in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship all year, my aim is to maximise my points haul at Brands and improve on fifth overall.”

Whilst Collard has been passed hit however, Team HARD. driver Burns will not take part at Brands Hatch as a result of the injuries he sustained at Silverstone.

The former Ginetta driver was diagnosed with fractured ribs and a bruised lung and although expected to make a full recovery, is unable to return to action for at least four weeks.

With the damage to his Volkswagen CC having proved to be too extensive to be repaired in time for Brands Hatch, Team HARD. will therefore run just two cars in the season finale for Michael Epps and Jake Hill.

“It’s disappointing not to be able to complete my maiden BTCC season at Brands Hatch this weekend, but withdrawing from the meeting is certainly the right decision to make in the circumstances,” Burns said. “I want to say a huge thank you to the marshals who were the first on the scene at Silverstone, to the BTCC and Silverstone medical teams, and all the staff at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for all their fantastic help.

“I must also say a massive thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes since the incident, the response has been truly overwhelming. I hope to be back in a race car soon as we begin to look ahead to the 2018 season.”

The decision will have no bearing on the team’s TBL, with series organisers TOCA having accepted that the absence is on the grounds of force majeure.