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Rob Collard completes a sensational WSR squad for 2015

By MJP Media | 14 February 2015

West Surrey Racing has confirmed that Rob Collard will complete its driver line-up in this year's Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Rob Collard with some of his 2014 BTCC silverware

The 2015 WSR squad looks as strong as any on the grid, even without reigning champion Colin Turkington, as Rob Collard is confirmed to be joining Sam Tordoff and Andy Priaulx at the championship winning team. Sam Tordoff is probably the best of the youngsters in the BTCC and 2015 will be a massive season for him in arguably the best car on the grid while triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx needs no introduction at all. That the team has now re-signed Collard for a sixth consecutive season shows how highly he is thought of within the team as well as with fans.

Rob, from Hampshire, has been an instrumental part of the BMW 1 Series development in the BTCC since its arrival in early 2013 and has gone on to enjoy one victory and a further seven podiums in the 125i M Sport WSR designed and built machine. He has long term partnerships with both the Duo Group and Hitachi Construction Equipment and has taken eight race victories and many podiums in his BTCC career, finishing sixth in the overall championship last season and helping the squad win both the Teams' and Independent Teams' titles.

Collard in his 2014 WSR prepared BMW 125i M Sport

WSR commences its pre-season testing at Rob's local circuit, Thruxton, next week (18/19 February) where its updated cars will come up against most of the 2015 BTCC opposition. The team expects all three of their drivers to be at Thruxton with further test dates planned during February and early March at Oulton Park before the BTCC season launch event at Donington Park on 24th March.

Rob said: "I am delighted to be racing for WSR for the sixth consecutive season and it'll be my eighth in total with the team in the BTCC. We have had some great memories together and I believe there are many more to come. I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel during testing over the coming week as we prepare to defend our titles in 2015."

Rob enjoys a laugh with the WSR team

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: "Rob has been a mainstay of WSR for a number of years and we're extremely pleased to have him signed up for another season. It's great to welcome the talents of both Andy Priaulx and Sam Tordoff into the team but we felt it was vital to have some continuity in our driving ranks. Rob's speed and experience are there for all to see and he will, as ever, play a key role in helping WSR challenge for more titles."

This announcement of course leaves the whereabouts of reigning BTCC Drivers Champion Colin Turkington less clear for the 2015 season, but perhaps a short hop to another German manufactured car might not be out of the question.

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