Kieran Gallagher will compete in the British Touring Car Championship after Team Hard owner Tony Gilham confirmed that his squad have an entry for the 2015 campaign.
It was announced on Wednesday that the outfit had purchased one of United Autosport’s Toyota Avensis’ to run in the 2015 season, but despite having also acquired a licence to race, still required dispensation from series organisers TOCA to compete.
The necessary approval appears to have been given, however, with Gilham announcing that 24-year-old Gallagher will pilot the car.
Gilham, who was due to race at the 2014 season finale in place of Robb Holland, was delighted to have secured a place on the grid ahead of the new season, but reiterated his intent to expand to a two-car outfit.
“This is a very exciting programme, we are going to be in this for many years,” said the 35-year-old. “Initially we will run the Avensis but have further plans hopefully for 2016. We have seen glimpses of how quick the Toyota can be on its day and the development we have planned, we hope to see a marked improvement.”
“This is a totally new approach from us. We have gone back to being a family-run team and there are no outside influences this time. We are building this for the future.”
The opening round of the 2015 season at Brands Hatch will not be Gallagher’s first experience in the series, having made a one-off appearance at Knockhill in 2013 – again for Gilham’s outfit – where he scored three points.
But with a full campaign ahead of him, the Scotsman admitted that he was eagerly anticipating becoming a permanent fixture in the championship.
“I am over the moon to be fulfilling my lifelong dream to be competing for a complete season in the BTCC,” he said. “After driving the Insignia for Team Hard at Knockhill in 2013, I made it my ambition to someday race again in the series and to do it with Team Hard is awesome.
“As soon as Tony offered me the chance to join them for their return, I immediately said yes and literally cannot wait to get going. I know this is a big jump, but at the same time I feel I can learn very quickly and will want to get up to speed and fight as high as possible up the grid. It will be a huge learning year but I am more than up for the challenge.”