Luke Hines replaces Glynn Geddie at United Autosports

Luke Hines is set to race in the British Touring Car Championship for the first time in nine years, replacing Glynn Geddie at United Autosports for the final two rounds of the 2014 season.

Hines replaces the suspended Geddie, who was stood down by the team after being charged with drink-driving last month, and will race at both Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

The 32-year-old last competed in the series with SEAT Sport in 2005, taking one win at Silverstone, having won twice for VX Racing in 2004. He started out in the BTCC in 2003, taking the Production class title in a Barwell Motorsport-run Honda Civic Type-R.

Since switching disciplines, Hines has raced extensively in the British GT Championship, most recently in a BMW Z4 GT3. He will partner James Cole in the team’s second Toyota Avensis.

Hines said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to the BTCC. I would like to say a huge thank you to United Autosports for this fantastic opportunity. I raced in the championship previously between 2003 to 2005 taken podiums and wins and I can’t wait to get my hands on the car.

“I’m not just going to make up the numbers, I’m excited and I have a lot of unfinished business in the BTCC.”

Richard Dean, United Autosports owner and managing director, said: “I know Luke very well and I am a big fan having run him in Formula Ford and in the Panoz GT2 car. Luke helped my old Team JLR to score a one-two-three podium clean sweep in the big grid, 30+ car Formula Ford days.

“Luke also finished second in the BGT championship with Tom Kimber-Smith when we ran the Panoz in GT2 back in 2006. He is a winner and will add the front wheel drive experience we are looking for with our BTCC programme.”