Carl Boardley replaces Will Powell for season finale

Carl Boardley is set to make a belated return to the 2022 BTCC grid after Team HARD announced that he will replace Will Powell for the season finale at Brands Hatch.

Boardley had been due to make a one off appearance at Croft earlier in the season in place of Rick Parfitt before falling ill, but will now appear on track in one of Team HARD’s four Cupra instead after Powell was ruled out due to commitments with his own Motus One team.

“It’s been an insightful partial season with Team HARD. that’s given me a great opportunity to learn BTCC as a championship from the inside, having competed in six race weekends,” Powell said. “I’m grateful to Tony and the team for that chance, it’s been tough but I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Racing is a passion but it’s primarily a business for me and so it’s the right move to handover to Carl for the last round while I have commitments with Motus One in other disciplines. I wish the team and particularly all the guys who have worked with me on my car every success, and also to Bobby in his final push to take the Jack Sears title.”

Boardley himself said he was pleased to have the chance to return for the weekend.

”After deciding on a sabbatical from the championship as a whole for 2022, Tony and the guys at Team Hard knew that a tempting offer for a ‘one off’ would always be greeted positively!” he said. “Having seen the championship from the sofa so far has been strange, but I am looking forward to the Brands Hatch rounds with the sole aim of trying to enjoy it. Obviously I have ties with the team so seeing some familiar faces will be good and fitting in will be seamless.

“Whilst I aim to have a smile on my face throughout the weekend, having tested the car briefly a few days back and dusted the cobwebs off I’m ready to do battle!”