Tom Oliphant rejoins BTCC grid for Thruxton one-off

Tom Oliphant will make a surprise return to the BTCC this weekend at Thruxton after agreeing a one-off deal with Team HARD.

Oliphant will drive the Cupra Leon usually piloted by Will Powell, who is unavailable as a result of personal commitments elsewhere.

Oliphant will be making his first appearance in the series since the 2021 season finale having taken the decision to move to Australia with fiancée Gen, with the unexpected chance to return coming during a brief trip back to the UK.

“I’m only back in the UK for a few weeks and I was planning to come down to Thruxton to meet friends and colleagues in the paddock again, so it’s lucky timing that I got the call from Tony [Gilham – team principal] asking if I wanted to step in,” he said.

“It was a pretty easy decision to say yes and come racing again! I love the British Touring Car Championship and after four great years in the series, it’s been tough watching on from the other side of the world.

“There’s no pressure on me this weekend, I’m here to get back in the swing of things, have some fun and maybe pick up some points along the way.”