Photo: BTCC

Osamu Kawashima replaces Ricky Collard at EXCELR8 for final two rounds

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Osamu Kawashima will contest the final two rounds of the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season after being confirmed as Ricky Collard’s replacement at EXCELR8 Motorsport.

The 57-year-old – who will become the first Japanese driver to compete in the series in more than four decades – will drive a Hyundai i30 Fastback under the Team VERTU banner at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Having undertaken a Reserve Driver role this term, Kawashima’s BTCC debut comes in the wake of Collard being unable to raise the budget needed to see out the season. Currently, the fan favourite sits fourth in the standings having picked up seven podiums this year.

Despite not being behind the wheel, Collard will be in attendance at Silverstone and Brands Hatch as he undertakes a coaching role that will be geared around supporting Kawashima. He will also take up the role of Reserve Driver for the team.

Kawashima heads into this latest chapter of his career with race-winning experience in the Amateur Class of what was the Ginetta GT4 Supercup. He also took part in a BTCC test day with Speedworks Motorsport back in 2016.

“I’m hugely excited to have the opportunity to become the first Japanese driver to race in the BTCC in the modern era and would like to express my gratitude to everyone at EXCELR8 for making it possible and for supporting me during testing,” said Kawashima.

“When I previously raced in the UK in Ginettas, I set myself the goal of one day competing in the BTCC. It’s taken longer than I hoped, but everything has fallen into place and my dream is now finally coming true.

“I’m looking forward to challenging myself against some incredibly fast and talented drivers on the grid, and my goal is to try and achieve some good results and to hone my own driving skills. As a racing driver you always want to win, but realistically speaking, if was able to score a point it would represent an outstanding achievement for me.”