Team RAC has today confirmed its full driver line-up for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, after naming Tom Onslow-Cole as its second driver for the 2007 season.
Team RAC has today confirmed its full driver line-up for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, after naming Tom Onslow-Cole as its second driver for the 2007 season.
Tom Onslow-Cole (19) is widely tipped as a British Touring Car Champion of the future. In 2006 he established himself as a major force in the Elf Renault Clio Cup winning by a staggering 113 point margin including ten wins and six podium finishes.
Tom joins Colin Turkington who will continue to drive for Team RAC this season. Colin had a superb year in 2006, in which he finished third in the overall driver's championship including two wins.
The drivers will each be behind the wheel of a BMW 320si E90, the car that won the World Touring Car Championship for Andy Priaulx in 2006.
Tom said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Team RAC. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to make my first step into touring car racing and will be doing my best to ensure Team RAC is at the front of the grid."
Dick Bennetts, WSR Team principal, said: "I believe Team RAC have an incredibly strong driver line-up for this year's championship. Tom is a very talented young driver who had a successful year in the Elf Renault Clio Cup. We're also delighted to retain Colin for this season and are confident that with a new car and talented drivers, 2007 will be a superb season for Team RAC."
Alastair Pegg, director of RAC marketing, said: "RAC are looking forward to working with and seeing Tom behind the wheel for the coming season. We were very keen to see young talent being given the chance to prove themselves at a higher level with Team RAC and we're very confident in Tom's ability. We watched him prove his credentials in the Renault Clio Cup last year which was a fantastic achievement and we're delighted he's now on board at Team RAC. Alongside Colin Turkington we feel that they'll prove a formidable team in the BTCC."
Tom Onslow-Cole profile:
Name: Tom Onslow-Cole
Date of birth: 16 May 1987
Lives: New Malden, Surrey
Height: 6', 181cm
Other facts: Tom works in business development at an import company
Favourite track: Thruxton
Best race: Round 17, Brands Hatch, 2006
Motorsport hero: Valentino Rossi
Colin Turkington profile:
Name: Colin Henry Turkington
Date of birth: 21 March 1982
Lives: Portadown, County Armagh
Height: 5' 8", 173cm
Siblings: Brothers, Gary and James
Other facts: Colin has completed his BA Hons Business Studies at Stirling University, graduating with a 2:1 degree with honours
Favourite track: Mondello
Best race: Round 18, Donington Park, 2003
Motorsport hero: Joey Dunlop
BMW 320si E90 Technical Information:
Dimensions
Length: 4535 mm, width: 1845 mm, wheelbase: 2763 mm, minimum weight: 1140 kg.
Engine
4-cylinder in line, longitudinally installed; distribution: two overhead camshafts, 16 valves; displacement: 1999 cc; bore x stroke: 86 86 mm; compression ratio: 11:1; maximum output: 275 bhp @ 8300 rpm; maximum torque: 242 nm @ 7250 rpm; engine management: BMW Motorsport ECU 404; lubrication: wet sump.
Transmission
Rear wheel drive; gearbox: BMW Hpattern 5-speed, with straight cut gears and dog engagement; clutch: carbon-fibre single plate; differential: mechanical limited slip differential.
Brakes
Power assisted dual circuit system; front brakes: 4 piston calipers, 332 mm steel ventilated discs; rear brakes: 2 piston calipers, 291 mm steel discs.
Chassis
Front suspension: double joint strut, coil springs, gas filled dampers, anti roll bar; real suspension: five arm multi link axle, coil springs, gas filled chambers, anti roll bar, steering: power assisted rack and pinion.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Nina Cresswell / Jonathan Neill
Lexis Sport
0207 908 6488
Notes to editors:
About BTCC
The championship is firmly established not only as one of Britain's most popular form of motor racing but also as one of the UK's top sporting attractions. Over the past decade, action-packed BTCC race meetings have repeatedly drawn crowds on a par with Premiership football matches and Test Match cricket, with over 200,000 loyal spectators and over 20 million terrestrial television viewers.
About RAC
RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations and a provider for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs.
Aviva announced its acquisition of RAC in 2005. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14%.