Rick Parfitt Jr has signed with Team HARD Racing for the 2022 British Touring Car Championship, where he will race an Infiniti Q50 in a challenge for the Jack Sears’ Trophy.
Parfitt, 47, joined the BTCC grid for the start of the 2021 season, racing a Hyundai i30 Fastback N for Excelr8 Motorsport.
The two-time British GT Champion ended the year 27th overall in the drivers’ standings, having contested all bar one meeting (at Croft) and picked up a best finish of 16th in his first-ever meeting at Thruxton in May.
He joins Team HARD to race one of its rear-wheel drive Infinitis, with the other two being run under the Laser Tools Racing banner in partnership with Aiden Moffat Racing.
Parfitt, who away from the circuit performs in his RPJ Band, is due to play in numerous festivals in 2022. The rocker is looking forward to taking on his second season in the BTCC, in particular with a move back to racing a rear-wheel drive car.
“I couldn’t be happier to have signed with Upton Steel with Team Hard Racing,” said Parfitt. “The team clearly shares my passion for putting on a show, but at the same time is hugely focused on delivering consistent results, as was shown by their championship winning campaign last year.
“The return to rear wheel drive will be a quick re-learning process for me but I was lucky enough to drive the car a few weeks ago and I felt comfortable immediately!
“The Team has a real energy and enthusiasm about it and I hope that I can reward the them, my sponsors and supporters with a strong haul of points across the season.
“But most of all I’m really looking forward to seeing all the BTCC fans again!…so BTCC…are you ready to rock?!!!”
Team HARD Racing team owner Tony Gilham believes that Parfitt will perform better in 2022, now that he is switching to rear-wheel drive, proven championship-winning machinery.
“It’s fantastic to have Rick join our ranks for the 2022 season driving our third and final Infiniti Q50,” said Gilham.
“Rick had a solid debut campaign last season in machinery completely new to him. For this year he moves back into a rear wheel-drive car and what better car then the championship winning one.
“The BTCC is one of the most competitive championships in the world and Rick has now experienced that first-hand.
“A champion in GT racing highlights Ricks potential to mix it with the best this series has to offer, and I have no doubt he will be fighting further up the field in this campaign.
“Rick brings so much more to the table then just his on-track capabilities, together we are pushing for success both on, and off circuit.
“Rick really put on a show for the fans in 2021 and having him in our team, which historically devotes plenty of resources to fan engagement across the season is going to be really exciting for everyone who enjoys watching the sport.
“Here’s to the start of a long and fruitful partnership together.”