Collard edges closer to Motorbase return

Rob Collard looks set to return to the Motorbase squad for the third successive season according to a report in Autosport magazine. Having also held talks with WSR, Collard now looks set to stay with Dave Bartum’s Kent based squad in 2010, saying “Over the past two years Motorbase have been going forward, and I think that can continue in 2010”.

“Driving a BMW will give me the best opportunity to continue that progression and have a good shot at finishing in the top three in the championship.”

Autosport understands that among the five drivers in contention to partner Collard are former Motorbase driver Steven Kane, Porsche champion Tim Bridgman and Renault Clio Cup winner Phil Glew, who spoke exclusively to TouringCarTimes.com last month about his BTCC hopes.

Bridgman tested for Motorbase at Brands Hatch before Christmas, alongside Ben Collins, Andrew Jordan (now signed to Pirtek for this season), Alex MacDowall and 2009 driver Jonathan Adam.

Earlier this week Bartrum told Crash.net that he was “working on a few things” and praised the BTCC for being “a very resilient championship” despite the loss of some key players like Vauxhall.

One of the BTCC’s other key players, Matt Neal will also be back on track soon, at Rockingham next week in a Team Dynamics Honda Civic that has undergone wind tunnel testing at motor industry facility MIRA since the end of the ’09 season.