Reigning TCR UK champion Carl Boardley will return to the series in 2024 to defend his title, continuing to race a CUPRA Leon Competición TCR prepared by Hart GT with CBM.
Boardley made his TCR debut last year and was immediately a title contender, picking up his first podium in the second meeting at Croft before winning back-to-back races at Oulton Park and Knockhill, the latter being part of a two wins out of three races weekend for the 48-year-old.
Entering into his second successive season in the category, former BTCC racer Boardley will be seeking to build on his total of four race wins.
The Suffolk-based racer was a BTCC regular for three seasons from 2019 to 2021, having made his debut in a one-off outing in 2018. Before that he was also a multiple National Hot Rod World Champion.
However, at the end of the 2021 season he stepped away from full-time racing in the BTCC, making only a one-off appearance in 2022 with Team HARD which failed to yield any race finishes.
TCR became Boardley’s full focus from 2023, and he finished every single race inside the top ten in a strong and consistent season.
“Having experienced TCR UK for the first time in 2023 and being new to the championship and its surroundings I have only glowing things to say,” said Boardley.
“I came into TCR hoping to gain back my enthusiasm and enjoyment for racing, and of course to be competitive from the outset.
“After a slightly ‘rocky’ start I took the bull by the horns off track and after teaming up with Nick Hart managed to get all the finer points in place preparation-wise to enable me to do what was required on track.
“To return for 2024 was a fairly straightforward decision from my part. With no time for any testing (other than the race weekends) in 2023 and having now gained a lot of data from last year we’ll be looking to raise the bar as I believe we can unlock a lot more from the car and continue from where we left off.”
Championship Promoter Stewart Lines is pleased to see the champion returning for another season in TCR UK.
“It’s a testament to the strength of TCR UK that we have the likes of Carl Boardley committing to another year,” added Lines.
“He had many options for 2024 but has chosen TCR UK as the place to be. We look forward to seeing him back on track and defending his title.”