Phil Glew has announced he will be returning to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after securing a deal with YourRacingCar.com to drive a SEAT Leon with a NGTC engine run by Special Tuning UK. Other backing comes in the form of Talent Works International, SEATCupra.net, Glasurit, WD-40 and 3-IN-ONE.
The reigning Renault Clio Cup champion made his debut at the start of the BTCC season in the Triple Eight run Vauxhall Vectra and despite a successful run which saw him finish sixth, and seventh, he was left without a drive as UNIQ pulled the plug on their sponsorship.
Since then it has been hard work for Glew to secure a sponsor to provide him with the budget needed to get back in the series, a problem that has also claimed the racing hopes of Matt Hamilton this year and also prevented champion Colin Turkington from defending his title.
The announcement comes as a relief to Glew who admits it has been a nightmare few months with potential sponsor deals falling through last minute.
Talking in a newsletter sent to YRC fans he said: “I'm over the moon to be asked to be part of the YRC team and I can't wait to do my very best to deliver the results you deserve for all the support you've shown.”
“Although there's a lot less pressure on me to deliver results on track due to the new engine and new package, I do feel a massive responsibility to deliver a good weekend for everyone involved due to all the hard work which has gone into the organisation of this from YRC's end!”
“I also have a responsibility to develop the new engine and chassis which I am very excited about as I'll be working very hard with my fantastic engineer to make this work!… Wish me luck!”
The BTCC returns to track at Silverstone on the weekend of 21/22 August with rounds 19, 20 and 21.