Nicolas Hamilton, Ollie Brown to miss Knockhill

Team HARD pair Nicolas Hamilton and Ollie Brown will miss the fourth round of the BTCC season this weekend at Knockhill as a result of their incident in the final race at Oulton Park.

The pair were involved in a clash with the BMW of Stephen Jelley on the exit of Druids, with Hamilton clipping Jelley’s spinning car and then being hit in the rear by Brown who was following behind.

Hamilton’s car went off into the barrier on the inside of the circuit and sustained substantial damage that ultimately couldn’t be repaired in time for the trip to Scotland.

“Unfortunately it was a case of the wrong place at the wrong time,” Hamilton. “I tried everything to avoid Stephen, but once I got onto the wet grass and tapped by Ollie, I was powerless to stop the car heading to the inside barrier. The crash was completely unavoidable on a narrow track and on the fastest part of the track. It was massive, but I am well and healthy, and I have no more aches and pains than I usually suffer with my condition.

“Team HARD has built a sturdy car under the TOCA regulations so it’s testament to both parties that myself, Ollie and Stephen escaped relatively unscathed in an incident that happened on a 120mph section of the track.

“The car has substantial chassis damage and therefore needs to be sent away for repairs, which is why the guys and girls at Team HARD will be unable to get my car ready for Knockhill this weekend. I’ll be back at Thruxton ready to push for more BTCC points.”

Brown meanwhile will miss the event on medical grounds having sustained a hairline fracture of the rib in the incident.

“I’m gutted to be on the side-lines for this weekend at Knockhill as I’ve never been to the circuit before and was really looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “Unfortunately, on doctors’ advice, I will be sitting out this weekend with a hairline fracture of the rib and some bad bruising.

“It would have been touch and go without this injury due to the damage sustained to the car, but I have full faith that the boys would have prepared my car ready for this weekend. I can only thank them for all their hard work so far this season.

“I look forward to returning to the grid soon but for now it’s a case of resting my body and researching to ensure I come back stronger for the rest of the season.”

Jelley’s BMW will however make the trip having been repaired by Team Parker Racing ready for the Scottish race weekend.