Photo: Team HARD

Michael Crees rejoins Team HARD as Bobby Thompson steps down

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Michael Crees will make a return to the BTCC grid for the remainder of the season after Team HARD announced that he will replace Bobby Thompson from Croft onwards.

Crees made his series debut with the team back in 2019 and went on to secure the Jack Sears Trophy the following year with BTC Racing before a switch into the Porsche Supercup for a part campaign in 2021.

Crees returned to the BTCC last year with Power Maxed Racing and was competing in the British GT Championship this season before an incident at Snetterton resulted in him splitting with the Raceway Motorsport team.

His return comes after the team revealed Thompson’s departure, citing ‘the current economic climate, coupled with the increase in costs to compete’, which had ‘compelled the team to carefully reassess its budget and make tough choices in order to secure its long-term sustainability’.

“The team wants to emphasise that this decision was not made lightly,” a statement read. “Bobby has been an integral part of the team, he has met his targets on-track, his financial commitments for the season off it and his contributions to the racing programme are deeply valued.

“Bobby has become one of the Team HARD Racing family and his absence from the track for the remainder of the season is met with the greatest regret.”

Thompson had scored the best result for the team so far this season with a second-place finish at Brands Hatch to sit 14th in the standings, having secured the Jack Sears Trophy last year.

Crees will now join forces with Dan Lloyd in the second of the two Cupras being run under the Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils banner for the five events left to run.

“I’m so excited to be returning to Team HARD,” Crees said. “I have missed the family feel and even though I’ve been at other teams, they have always made me and my family feel welcome.

“The team has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. I’m super excited to jump in the Cupra, dust off some cobwebs and give it my best shot!”