Robb Holland will hand over the driving duties of his Rotek Racing Audi S3 to former Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship boss and competitor, Tony Gilham, for the final round of the 2014 season at Brands Hatch GP.
Regular driver Holland secured a points finish in the previous meeting at Rockingham, however a clashing engagement on the Saturday of the final event at Brands Hatch on 11/12 October has resulted in the American being forced to relinquish his Rotek Racing seat for the final event of the season after this weekend’s visit to Silverstone.
Former team boss Gilham will take the wheel of the Audi S3 for the final event, having ran four cars in the BTCC last year and competed in more than 50 races as a driver.
“We would love to run two cars if possible next season but of course that depends on there being a licence available,” said Holland, who aims to expand the Rotek squad into a two-car operation for 2015 to aid the development of the rapidly-improving Audi S3.
“We’ve already got six or seven drivers interested and Tony is one of them. He brought me into the BTCC and we’ve always had a good relationship. Maybe I owed him one – he’s a good guy, a good peddler and it was a perfect opportunity for all parties.”
Gilham, 35, last raced in the BTCC in 2012 driving a Vauxhall Insignia and a Honda Civic, the latter of which Holland also drove during that particular season, and Gilham is relishing his return to the series for this year’s finale.
“I’ve always wanted to race,” Gilham commented. “It was frustrating at times last season to have brought four cars into the BTCC but not getting the chance to race any of them.
“To get this opportunity at Brands Hatch – my home circuit – is fantastic and I can’t wait. We brought Robb into the BTCC and now he’s bringing me back!
“I’ve put other people first for a long time and I’m still helping drivers in the VW Cup, so I thought it was about time I got to do something I really wanted to. Long term I’d love to come back as a team owner but returning to the series as a driver is also on my radar – I wouldn’t rule anything out.”