Photo: Jakob Ebrey

James Gornall to test Team HARD Cupra

James Gornall will join Team HARD for the two-day Goodyear tyre test at Oulton Park this week as the Cupra team evaluates its options for the remainder of the 2021 BTCC season.

Gornall – who drove for Trade Price Cars Racing in a part campaign last year – will be at the wheel of the car that was previously raced by Glynn Geddie before the Scot took the decision to stand down from the seat for personal reasons.

“I’m excited to try the new Cupra around Oulton Park this week,” he said. “The car is going from strength to strength and having spent ten months out of a BTCC car I can’t wait to jump back in and help the team develop the car for the second half of the season.

“I’d like to thank Tony and his team for giving me this opportunity, also Dreelside Engineering and Ian Gornall Financial Planning.”

Team boss Tony Gilham said he was pleased to be able to call on Gornall for the test.

“It’s great to have James join us for this seasons Goodyear tyre test at Oulton Park,” he said. “He is a reliable, safe yet fast pair of hands and his experience in motorsport is only going to help our development of the new Cupra Leon.

“He was very impressive last season and held his own against a team-mate who was vastly more experienced in this category so I have no doubt that after the morning is spent shaking off a few cobwebs James will be right there with the rest of the team.

“We have a very detailed testing programme for James to execute over the next couple of days, so I am looking forward to seeing how not only he, but also the car progresses.”