Glynn Geddie will step back from driving in this year’s British Touring Car Championship with Team HARD ‘for personal reasons’, vacating a seat in one of the outfit’s four CUPRA Leon cars.
Geddie has contested the opening three events of the season but has struggled for results so far, recording a best finish of just 22nd at Snetterton.
The Scot has recently become a father for the first time, which has played a role in his decision to step back from driving.
“It is with regret that I am leaving the BTCC and Team HARD. Racing,” said Geddie. “Everyone has been amazing so far in our journey and we part company on good terms.
“Unfortunately, my personal situation has drastically changed since I signed to drive for this year with Tony [Gilham] and Team HARD. Racing. I’ve started a new business and my lovely partner has just given birth to our first child, Jenson.
“My priorities, at least temporarily, have changed and my new commitments away from racing have meant that I can no longer fully focus on my racing which is affecting my ability to meet the targets that I set myself for this year.
“The team have been absolutely wonderful during my time here and I’ve met many people who I now value as my friends, they really are one big family and I hope to return one day and finish off what we started.
“The new CUPRA Leon is an amazing piece of kit and whoever takes over from me is going to have a really enjoyable and competitive season. I’m gutted to be passing it on but sometimes things change in your life and as I say, priorities change.
“Thank you to Tony and the team for being so accommodating surrounding this situation.”
Tony Gilham, Managing Director of Team HARD. Racing expressed his pleasure to see Gilham become a father but also disappointment that he was vacating his seat at the team.
“This situation really is a tricky one to summarise,” added Gilham. “I’m so happy for Glynn, becoming a father is one of the best feelings in the world but it can completely change your lifestyle and priorities in life.
“Glynn has such a busy life from motorsport and running multiple businesses, many of which involve him flying all over the world and the addition of a family was always going to prove too much.
“Naturally, I’m disappointed that Glynn’s time with us at Team HARD. Racing is up as he has been a valuable asset to our team this season, especially during the close season and developing the all new CUPRA Leon.
“We leave on good terms but now it’s time to search for a replacement driver that can help accelerate our development and deliver out on track from the get-go.
“The team is in a good place at the moment and the atmosphere in camp is electric, we are all focused on moving further up the field throughout this season.”
Geddie, who made his BTCC début in 2014, has yet to complete a full season in the championship, following additional bit-part campaigns in 2018, 2020 and now 2021.