Tom Boardman will not be on the grid for the Opening rounds of the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship at Monza, which takes place this weekend (10/11 March).
His team, Special Tuning Racing, confirmed that the British driver would miss the opening rounds of the season due to his SEAT Leon not being ready in time for the event, due to an unforeseen delay in getting the specialist parts required for the car.
Boardman’s team-mate at Special Tuning Racing, Darryl O’Young, will be on the grid and the team will focus all of their intentions on O’Young.
Gary Robertshaw explains the situation: “This is very disappointing for the Team, especially after all the hard work we have been carrying out in preparing the cars in the run up to the championship. Everyone concerned has done their best to get the car ready, but in the end the parts just could not be delivered in time.
“We will obviously be focused on Darryl O’Young’s car which will be running this weekend, and we are excited about the competitiveness of the car.”
For Boardman, his season will get underway at the second event of the season at Valencia over the 31 March/1 April, but he will be out in Italy to support O’Young and the team in the opening event of the Championship.
A disappointed Boardman added: “I’m extremely disappointed obviously, but I’ve accepted I won’t be involved, so I’ll now be focusing all my efforts on making sure the team and Darryl (O’Young) have a good weekend.”