Tom Onslow-Cole will move to the growing Team-HARD. outfit for the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to drive one of the Dartford team’s new NGTC VW CCs.

The popular Onslow-Cole is the second driver to be announced for the Tony Gilham-run operation, which signed youngster Jack Goff yesterday.

“We’re really excited to have Tom on board,” comments Gilham. “He fits perfectly into the Team HARD. team that we have carefully built for the 2013 season.

“Tom is one of the most exciting drivers on the BTCC grid and our goal is to win the championship together. He is very marketable and fits within our ethos – to work as hard off-track as we do on-track.”

The move confirms rumours which surfaced yesterday and though it is something of a surprise, Onslow-Cole believes the partnership can be a successful one.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the team and I cannot wait to get on track in 2013. After meeting with Tony multiple times and learning his plans for the future it became very clear that this was an opportunity not to be missed.

“Not only is the VW Passat CC perfect on paper for the NGTC regulations but it also looks great, that’s got to be worth a few tenths. I’m looking forward to a strong season out of the box and a long term successful relationship with the team. Roll on 2013.”

Onslow-Cole leaves the West Surrey Racing-run eBay Motors BMW squad, which recently announced it is building its own 1 Series NGTC operation after several seasons with its BMW 3 Series.