Jack Goff secures last-minute return

Jack Goff has secured a last-minute return to the BTCC grid for the upcoming season, after being named as Mike Bushell’s replacement at Team HARD.

Goff looked set to spend 2019 on the sidelines after Eurotech Racing withdrew from the series, with the 27-year-old having been unable to secure the funding to take a drive elsewhere.

However, Bushell’s decision to stand down from his drive and return to the Clio Cup suddenly opened up a vacancy with Team HARD; the team that gave Goff his debut in the series back in 2013.

As a result, Goff will now take his place on the grid for the season opener at Brands Hatch next month and is due to sample the revised Volkswagen CC – a car he raced in the second half of 2014 – during testing at the same circuit this week.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be back with Team HARD, who I made my debut with in the BTCC,” he said. “Tony gave me my first break in touring cars and it’s an amazing feeling to be back with the team, who have come on an awful lot.

“It’s been an incredible 24 hours and I have to say a massive thank you to Tony, the team and my current partners. I honestly thought that I would have to sit out this year after a tough winter. I feel for Mike who is a great guy and driver, but I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Volkswagen CC.

“I drove the car in 2014 and have seen its upturn in form during the second half of 2018 with Mike and Bobby behind the wheel. I’ve spoken to my new team-mates, who have told me what the team has done with the car over the winter, and I have full confidence that we will be on the pace from the get go despite my obvious lack of testing.

“I am absolutely buzzing for the season launch and for the first round of the season at Brands Hatch. I am more determined than ever!”