Team HARD have become the first British Touring Car Championship team to reveal a new driver for the 2018 season, with Volkswagen Racing Cup driver Bobby Thompson joining the team’s top flight.
Thompson graduates to the BTCC after spending two years with the team in the Volkswagen Racing Cup, where the 20-year-old lifted the overall drivers’ title.
Now Thompson has been given the chance to pilot one of the team’s Volkswagen CC cars in the BTCC after Team Principal Tony Gilham promoted the youngster to the top flight of UK tin-top racing.
“Bobby is an outstanding young talent and we’re excited to see how he fares against the top touring car drivers in the country,” said Gilham. “We have a very strong package and we are improving all the time as a team.
“He has already proven to us that he has what it takes to compete at the very top and it is great to have got this deal done very early to give us the maximum amount of time to prepare over the winter.
“It is a big step up but one that we believe he is more than ready for and have no doubt that he will do us proud.
“It is testament to the whole team and the unique concept that we have created, which enables us to be able to work with our drivers in this way and provide what is now the complete ladder all the way to the top level of British motor sport.
“In what is a very tough industry, what we have makes it possible for racing drivers like Bobby to achieve their life-long ambitions and more importantly, with the same team.”
Thompson, who has previously sampled BTCC machinery when he took part in last year’s mid-season tyre test at Snetterton with Power Maxed Racing, says that moving up to the BTCC represents fulfilling a long-term goal he has had.
“I have had a fantastic year after winning the VW Racing Cup and now Team HARD has given me the opportunity to step up to the BTCC,” said Thompson. “I’m absolutely over the moon; it’s been my dream for as long as I can remember.
“I never had any intentions on trying to get to Formula 1 or anything like that, it’s always been touring cars and it’s always been the BTCC.
“It’ll be a big step up, I’m sure of that, but I think we’re ready for it – we know what to expect. We had a test last year at Snetterton and it was amazing how much more grip there was available than in the VW Cup car. It’s more demanding and I’m already working on my fitness.
“I’ve had three years with Tony really, starting back in 2015 in the VW Cup. I had a good year, finishing seventh or so in my first season then I topped it off last year coming into the BTCC as a champion. I’m so grateful to the team for making it possible and helping us to get on the grid and I’m pleased to have the chance to stay loyal. I can’t wait to get underway!”