Team HARD have comfirmed that they have obtained a third TBL fr this coming BTCC season and that Michael Epps will drive a third Toyota Avensis for the team.
Epps is no stranger to the team, having driven for them in the Volkswagen cup in 2015 where he took multiple wins and podium finishes. Before this he competed in single seaters.
Epps joins one of the youngest line ups on the grid alongside Jake Hill and Chris Smiley, their average age being just 23. Team boss Tony Gillham explains the teams philosophy;
“We have chosen to support young up-and-coming drivers once again,” he acknowledged. “We’re rewriting the rulebook and focusing on skill rather than just looking for drivers with big budgets.”
Epps himself is looking forward to making the step up to the most popular championship in the UK;
“It’s probably the most exciting time in my career so far. I could only dream of a BTCC seat at one stage and now it’s really happening – I’m struggling to take it in,”
He went on to explain how the deal came about;
“There was a prospect of driving in the BTCC from the very beginning of my relationship with Team HARD and RCIB, but over the winter we have come closer and closer to actually being able to make a deal work. The opportunity presented itself and we had to grab it and work it into this. Now here we are and I can’t wait to go blasting up to Paddock Hill on that first weekend at Brands!”
What are his targets for his debut season?
“The aim is obviously to get as high up as possible and with the current situation of cars changing packages and lots of money being spent, you just never know. I’m optimistic and hoping to bring home points.”
Tony Gillham rates him very highly;
“Mike is another very exciting prospect and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the Avensis. Having witnessed his pace last year, we are confident he will enjoy a very promising debut season. This isjust the start of a long-term plan for the team as we now look to establish a solid platform on which to build moving forwards.”
The championship launch day is next Tuesday at Donington Park. Public access is allowed from 12:30pm and is free. By Marc Waller
