Rick Parfitt Jr makes Team HARD move for second season

Team HARD has announced the signing of Rick Parfitt for the 2022 British Touring Car Championship season for what will be his second year in the series.

Parfitt will be at the wheel of an Infiniti Q50 entered under the Upton Steel with Team HARD Racing banner when the new campaign kicks off in late April.

The 47-year-old will look to fight for Jack Sears Trophy honours and admitted he was pleased to be back in rear-wheel drive after his success in the British GT Championship.

“I couldn’t be happier to have signed with Upton Steel with Team HARD Racing,” he said. “The team clearly shares my passion for putting on a show, but at the same time is hugely focussed on delivering consistent results.

“The return to rear-wheel drive will be a quick re-learning process for me, but I was lucky enough to drive the car a few weeks ago and I felt comfortable immediately.

“The team has a real energy and enthusiasm about it and I hope that I can reward them, my sponsors and supporters with a strong haul of points across the season, but most of all I’m really looking forward to seeing all the BTCC fans again!”

Team boss Tony Gilham said he was pleased to welcome Parfitt into the fold.

“It’s fantastic to have Rick join our ranks for the 2022 season driving our third and final Infiniti Q50,” he said. “Rick had a solid debut campaign last season in machinery completely new to him. This year, he moves back into a rear-wheel drive car and what better car than a championship-winning one.

“The BTCC is one of the most competitive championships in the world and Rick has now experienced that first-hand. His British GT Championships highlight his potential to mix it with the best this series has to offer, and I have no doubt he will be fighting further up the field in this campaign.”