Rob Collard will drive for Power Maxed Racing in the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, completing the outfit’s line-up.

With a record of 15 race wins, 61 podiums and 16 fastest laps over a BTCC career spanning some 18 years, Collard joins Jason Plato in the PMR designed-and-built Vauxhall Astra, and the Hampshireman is as hungry as he’s ever been.

“My desire to win is as strong as ever,” said the 50-year-old. “I’m delighted to form a new partnership with PMR to return to BTCC in 2019. I’ve watched their growth and development from day one and seen Adam (Weaver, Team Principal) and the team build a race-winning package that has gone from strength to strength.

“I’m very pleased to help build on that success, alongside an experienced team-mate in Jason. Returning to front wheel drive is a challenge I relish, particularly having won the Independents’ title in a Vauxhall Astra in the past. As always I’d like to thank all of my sponsors, particularly Duo and Hitachi Construction Machinery, for their continued support for my 2019 campaign.”

“After our breakthrough year in 2018, we have been looking for a driver line up that not only matches our ambitions, but that also has the speed and experience to help us realise those ambitions,” added Team Principal Adam Weaver. “I am delighted that Rob has decided to join PMR to complete what I believe to be an incredibly strong driver line up.

“It is quite surreal for me as the two drivers we have signed are ones that I grew up watching and are a big part of the reason I fell so in love with BTCC in the first place. Celebrating our eventual successes together is going to make all the hard work so worthwhile.”

The outfit finished tied for second spot in the Teams’ running in 2018, in the Astra’s second year in the BTCC, and PMR has ambitions of challenging again in 2019. It’s currently concluding an intensive winter development programme ahead of pre-season testing and will be announcing brand partners and its race livery in due course, with testing to begin next week at Brands Hatch with Collard in the hot-seat.

“It’s not very often I complement Adam, certainly not publicly anyway!” started Martin Broadhurst, Team Manager, jovially. “But he has done a sterling job with the drivers he’s secured for the forthcoming campaign. The plan is really starting to come together and we are ready to cement ourselves as a top team in the BTCC, if we haven’t done so already.”