James Gornall will take part in this week’s two-day British Touring Car Championship tyre test at Oulton Park with Team HARD, as he evaluates a possible return to the championship.
Gornall will test one of the team’s new CUPRA Leon cars, stepping in to the seat vacated by Glynn Geddie, who gave up his seat just three events into the current season due to personal reasons.
Gornall, the 2019 MINI Challenge UK champion and 2008 British GT Champion, had made his BTCC début in 2020 with Trade Price Cars Racing, but stepped aside after six events due to budget complications.
“I’m excited to try the new CUPRA around Oulton Park this week,” said Gornall, whose best result last year was seventh at Brands Hatch.
“The car is going from strength to strength and having spent ten months out of a BTCC car I can’t wait to jump back in and help the team develop the car for the second half of the season.
“I’d like to thank Tony and his team for giving me this opportunity.”
Tony Gilham, Managing Director at Team HARD. Racing, praised Gornall’s performances last year, when he was teamed up with Bobby Thompson, also a former Team HARD racer.
“It’s great to have James join us for this seasons Goodyear tyre test at Oulton Park,” said Gilham. “He is a reliable, safe yet fast pair of hands and his experience in motorsport is only going to help our development of the new CUPRA Leon.
“He was very impressive last season and held his own against a teammate who was vastly more experienced in this category so I have no doubt that after the morning is spent shaking off a few cobwebs James will be right there with the rest of the team.
“We have a very detailed testing programme for James to execute over the next couple of days, so I am looking forward to seeing how not only he, but also the car progresses.
“The team are really on a high at the moment after a strong showing at Brands Hatch and we are all excited to continue developing the car.
“Obviously, we are disappointed that Glynn is no longer with us, but James is a great personality and I know he is going to fit into the team straight away.”
The two-day tyre test kicks off at Oulton Park on Tuesday 6 July.