Tom Onslow-Cole will drive the third Airwaves Racing NGTC Ford Focus for the remainder of the 2013 British Touring Car Championship season, after a deal was confirmed by Motorbase Team Principal Dave Bartrum.
The announcement comes just a week after Onslow-Cole parted company with Team HARD. for the remainder of the season in a bid to focus resources for the 2014 campaign, with his future with the team for next year unclear.
Bartrum was taken aback by the news of Onslow-Cole’s availability, but was delighted to confirm the 26 year-old in the team.
“We’ve been approached by quite a few people in regards to the third NGTC car, and I wanted to put it out for the right type of driver. To suddenly find Tom available was both quite a shock and at the same time a nice surprise as it’s the perfect fit with our team,” Bartrum told BTCC.net.
“It’s been a tough year for our team; the drivers and team have had to work quite hard and I think that the team can only benefit from adding Tom to our line-up. I’m now really looking forward to Rockingham and getting some good results.”
Onslow-Cole, who has scored three podiums this season and currently lies 11th in the championship classification, already has experience in an NGTC Focus from his time with Team Aon in 2011, and was relishing the opportunity to complete the season.
“Wow, it’s been an emotional week of ups and downs but this news is fantastic,” said Onslow-Cole. “I’m so happy to be back on the grid and I am ever thankful to David [Bartrum] and everyone at Airwaves that made this possible.
“Motorbase is a great team and I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on the Ford Focus NGTC. Unfortunately there isn’t the chance to test before Rockingham but with the help of Mat, Árón and the team I’m sure I’ll get up to speed quickly.”