Team HARD. announce Tom Onslow-Cole for 2013 BTCC season

By MJP Media | 20 December 2012

Tony Gilham has announced today the signing of Tom Onslow-Cole to drive for Team HARD. in the 2013 British Touring Car Championship. The former eBay Motors driver will pilot a new NGTC spec. Volkswagen Passat CC.

Tom Onslow-Cole in the 2012 eBay Motors BMW 320si

In a dramatic move that will send shockwaves through the paddock, Tom Onslow-Cole is the latest name to sign to Tony Gilham's Team HARD. British Touring Car Championship team for the 2013 season and beyond. Following the confirmation yesterday of Jack Goff, this announcement brings some serious BTCC race experience to the team.

25-year-old Onslow-Cole will contest his seventh BTCC season behind the wheel of one of two Volkswagen Passat CCs which the team will run alongside two Vauxhall Insignias.

After finishing sixth last season with eBay Motors, Onslow-Cole has proved that given the right car he is ready mount a serious challenge on the Independent's Trophy in 2013 and Team HARD. Principal Tony Gilham believes he has the team to take him there.

"We're really excited to have Tom on board." comments Gilham. "He fits perfectly into the Team HARD. profile that we have carefully built for the 2013 season. Tom is one of the most exciting drivers on the BTCC grid and our goal is to win the championship together. He is very marketable and fits within our ethos - to work as HARD. off-track as we do on-track."

Onslow-Cole told us: "I'm thrilled to be a part of the team and I cannot wait to get on track in 2013. After meeting with Tony multiple times and learning his plans for the future it became very clear that this was an opportunity not to be missed. Not only is the VW Passat CC perfect on paper for the NGTC regulations but it also looks great, that's got to be worth a few tenths. I'm looking forward to a strong season out of the box and a long term successful relationship with the team. Roll on 2013."

Gilham has chosen to field the two 2.0-litre Passat CCs following a long-term relationship with Volkswagen and the car's suitability to the series: "The Passat fits the NGTC criteria perfectly and will look stunning in race-trim." he comments."Last year we used the VW Cup as a feeder series into the BTCC and we intend to do this again."

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