Hong Kong driver Darryl O’Young will switch to Special Tuning Racing for the 2012 World Touring Car Championship, partnering Tom Boardman in the British-based team.
It means that O’Young will embark on his third successive season in the WTCC with a new team, having raced for bamboo engineering in 2010 and 2011 in a Chevrolet Lacetti and Chevrolet Cruze respectively.
“I’m really looking forward to the new season ahead with Special Tuning Racing in the WTCC,” said O’Young. “It is a new direction for me as I will be competing with a Seat Leon 1.6 Turbo for the very first time, but I have every confidence in the car this year as SEAT Sport has been working hard on its new development over the winter. STR has had years of experience with the SEAT and I will do everything in my ability to help the team earn strong results on their return to WTCC racing.”
O’Young admits that the deal to continue in the WTCC came quite late but is nevertheless looking forward to being back on the grid in 2012.
“Our deal came together quite late which means we won’t be having any testing ahead of Monza, but I’m relieved we were able to finalize everything in time and we will work hard to catch up quickly and challenge for the independent title. I’ve had a great two years with Chevrolet and Bamboo, and I’m looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity that lies ahead for me with Special Tuning Racing!”
The 34 year-old has just returned from Australia after taking his second victory in the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour race for Phoenix Racing in an Audi R8 LMS. O’Young has often competed in GT races, including the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2006 and 2008 as well as the Porsche Supercup and FIA GT Championship. Given this wealth of racing experience, STR Team Principal John Boardman is delighted to welcome O’Young on board.
“We already knew what an exceptional talent Darryl is” said Boardman. “He’s raced all the over the world and his experience speaks for itself. When the opportunity to sign him came up, we knew he would be a great asset to the team.
“The WTCC is going from strength to strength. Several new manufacturers have made it clear they want to be in the Championship, and we’re looking forward to competing on the world stage again and showing what we can do.”