Triple MINI Challenge champion Dan Zelos is to make his British Touring Car Championship début at Donington Park this weekend, as he fills the seat vacated by Ronan Pearson.
Zelos, 26, has been EXCELR8 Motorsport’s official reserve driver this year, and he finally gets to make his racing début in one of the team’s Hyundai i30 N Fastback cars at the Leicestershire circuit on Sunday.
No stranger to the TOCA paddock, Zelos first appeared no the support bill in 2014 when he raced in the Ginetta Junior championship, ending the year fourth overall a place behind future Formula 1 driver Lando Norris.
He was fourth again in 2015, before graduating to the Renault UK Clio Cup in 2016, where he was 18th before improving to eighth the following season and finishing tenth overall in 2018.
His biggest success has come in the MINI Challenge, however, where he made his first appearance in 2019 with EXCELR8.
After finishing as runner-up in 2020, Zelos clinched his first title in 2021, a feat he repeated last year. Then, two weeks’ ago at Knockhill, Zelos built an unassailable lead in this year’s MINI Challenge standings to provisionally clinch a third title.
After being on the support package for so long, Zelos is pleased to finally get a chance to compete in the BTCC.
“Obviously it’s a shame that Ronan won’t be in the car for the rest of the season as he is someone I have raced with as a team-mate and who I value as a friend,” said Zelos.
“But on a personal level, I’m thrilled to have the unexpected opportunity to join the BTCC grid at Donington Park.
“I was all-set for a weekend coaching EXCELR8’s drivers in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and now all of a sudden, I’m going to be getting coached by the other drivers on how to get the best out of the Hyundai instead!
“Competing in the BTCC is what my family and I have been working towards throughout my career and even if this weekend turns out to be a one-off, I’ll be able to say we got there.
“Taking my place on the grid is going to be a huge honour, particularly with a team I have shared so much success with through the years.
“As a driver, you always go out to try to win, but I’m going into the weekend being realistic as I’m up against a strong field that has been racing all season.
“I hope to put up a competitive showing and fight in the pack, but at the same time, I want to keep my nose clean and not get mixed up in any trouble.
“Most importantly, I want to keep a smile on my face, but I can’t see that being a problem!”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, says there is no pressure on Zelos to perform.
“Although the circumstances are unexpected, we are pleased to be able to give Dan the long-overdue opportunity to make his BTCC début,” added Williams. “He has shown himself to be more than deserving of a place on the grid, and we are confident he will do a solid job when he gets behind the wheel of the Hyundai this weekend.
“There is no pressure on him in terms of results, but we know from experience that he will do the best job possible across the weekend and I fully expect him to take this chance with both hands.”
Discussions about who will race the team’s fourth car for the final two weekends of the season remain ongoing.