Max Coates joins TCR UK grid for Donington Park

Renault Clio Cup UK front-runner Max Coates will join the grid for the latest rounds of the TCR UK Championship this weekend at Donington Park.

Coates will be at the wheel of the wheel of the DAT Racing Cupra TCR that was a late addition to the grid at Oulton Park for the first round of the season, where TCR UK ran as part of the new Touring Car Trophy for the first time

Unlike at Oulton Park, the Cupra – which will also compete at Oulton Park during Saturday’s Britcar meeting – will be entered within the TCR UK class with Coates making his debut in the series at the wheel.

The 25-year-old has been racing in the car alongside team boss Guy Colclough as part of the Britcar programme.

“We really enjoyed Oulton Park and we learnt a lot about competing in the TCR one-make series,” Colclough said. “As a relatively new team, we are stepping up to the TCR series challenge and this jump was made really easy through Stewart’s encouragement and help. The paddock was remarkably friendly and many of the other teams helped us settle into this racing style. In fact, everyone tried to help us and that made for a really fun but competitive event.

“In Max, we have a brilliant talent and he has shown his abilities consistently through his Renault Clio Championship racing. Max’s driving last week at Donington last week in the TCR car has given the team lots of encouragement and whilst we know our DSG car is slower than the sequentials, we still expect to be competitive.”

Coates himself said he was excited about joining the grid for the Donington Park meeting.

“I am really excited to be driving the TCR car and I think this is a wonderful series for drivers of all types to develop and hone their skills,” he said. “I really can not do justice to the quality of the TCR car. It is an incredible race car that delivers stunning lap times. I am looking forward to running in the Donington event and we hope the meeting will be fun but competitive”.