Rob Huff will return to the British Touring Car Championship for this weekend’s races at Knockhill, after signing a one-race deal with Team HARD.
Huff, 43, thus returns to the BTCC for the first time since 2017, and he will race at Knockhill for the first time since 2004, his début tin-top season.
The 2012 World Touring Car Champion steps into the team which has seen several driver changes in the second half of the season already, with Bobby Thompson and Jade Edwards having both departed ahead of the previous round, to be replaced by Michael Crees and Daryl DeLeon respectively.
Huff is better known for competing on the international touring car stage. After his only full season in the BTCC in 2004, racing with SEAT Sport, he moved into the WTCC for 2005 and remained there until the series ended in 2017.
Thereafter, Huff has become a TCR stalwart, racing in TCR International, the FIA World Touring Car Cup, TCR Scandinavia (where he was the 2020 champion) and most recently the TCR World Tour with Comtoyou Racing.
“I am delighted to be back in the British Touring Car Championship, especially with Team HARD. Racing,” said Huff, a veteran of at least 460 touring car races.
“The BTCC holds a special place in my heart, and I have fond memories of my previous time here. I’m eager to hit the Knockhill circuit again and compete against some of the finest drivers in the country.
“I am determined to give my best performance and help the team maximise the weekend.”
Team HARD owner Tony Gilham admitted that he had been trying to do a deal with Huff for some time.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Rob join our team for this weekend’s BTCC round,” added Gilham. “His experience and achievements in the world of touring car racing speak volumes about his skills.
“We believe that his addition to our team will undoubtedly strengthen our position on the grid and elevate our chances of success this week.
“I’ve been trying to get Rob into one of our cars for a while and I’m delighted that this moment has finally come. The team can’t wait to get going.”