Photo: PSP Images

Rob Collard secures Power Maxed Racing seat

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Rob Collard will make a full-time return to the BTCC grid in 2019 after agreeing a deal to join Power Maxed Racing.

The 50-year-old was forced to sit out the second half of 2018 as a result of concussion sustained in an incident at Snetterton, and then departed West Surrey Racing at the conclusion of the campaign – ending a partnership dating back to 2010.

Eager to remain on the grid again this season, Collard has now agreed terms on a deal to partner Jason Plato in the new look PMR line-up; a deal that will see him return to front-wheel drive for the first time since 2007, when he raced a SEAT Leon for GR Asia at the final meeting of the year.

Prior to that, the 15-time race winner had secured the Independents’ title in an Astra Coupe and took his maiden race win in a front-wheel drive MG ZS.

“My desire to win is as strong as ever,” he said. “I’m delighted to form a new partnership with PMR to return to BTCC in 2019. I’ve watched their growth and development from day one and seen Adam Weaver and the team build a race-winning package that has gone from strength to strength.

“I’m very pleased to help build on that success alongside an experienced team-mate in Jason. Returning to front wheel drive is a challenge I relish, particularly having won the Independents’ title in a Vauxhall Astra in the past. As always, I’d like to thank all of my sponsors, particularly Duo and Hitachi Construction Machinery, for their continued support for my 2019 campaign.”

With two experienced racers in the line-up for 2019, team boss Adam Weaver said he was delighted with the partnership now in place for the season ahead.

“After our breakthrough year in 2018, we have been looking for a driver line up that not only matches our ambitions, but that also has the speed and experience to help us realise those ambitions,” he said. “I am delighted that Rob has decided to join PMR to complete what I believe to be an incredibly strong driver line up.

“It is quite surreal for me as the two drivers we have signed are ones that I grew up watching and are a big part of the reason I fell so in love with BTCC in the first place. Celebrating our eventual successes together is going to make all the hard work so worthwhile.”