Ginetta GT4 runner up Will Burns will take the step up to the British Touring Car Championship after securing a seat with Team HARD. The twenty six year old impressed in the team’s 2016 cars in a test last month and will race in one of the team’s three Volkswagon Passat CCs next season.
Burns has only been racing since 2010, but quickly impressed. The Weston Supermare driver spent three years in the Ginetta GT5 championship before switching the GT4 where, last year, he took the championship battle right down to the final race, eventually finishing the season just three points behind eventual winner Tom Wrigley (despite having taken nearly thirty more points overall).
Burns tested at Snetterton in October in one of Team HARD’s Toyota Avensis. The team won’t be using the cars next season, but it was still the first time Burns has tested in BTCC machinery. Team boss Tony Gilham said the GT4 runner up showed “potential” in the test, as well as in his results in the Ginetta championships.
“We have been talking to Will and his family for a few months now and have already formed a great relationship,” he said. “We share the same drive and ambition and Will is an amazing up-and-coming talent.
“We’ve every confidence that we have a very competitive package for the year ahead and look forward to working with Will both on and off track as he continues his development and rise to the very top.”
Racing in the BTCC is a dream come true for Burns, but he isn’t underestimating the challenge he faces.
“I’m under no illusion as to the size of the challenge ahead,” he said. “It’s the pinnacle of British motorsport and it’s going to be a steep learning curve for me, but I really can’t wait to get the season started at Brands Hatch in April.”
Burns is the first driver to be confirmed by Team HARD for the 2017 season. The team ran two rookies in 2016, including Chris Smiley, who was forced to drop out of the championship mid-season due to budget issues.
Team HARD are expected to announce two more drivers before the 2017 season gets underway with the media day in March next year.
Feature image credit: Caroline Rhea
