Kent based Team HARD Racing last night launched their challenger for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2021.
The new Cupra Leon was unveiled as the first of the 2021 challengers to the public by Managing Director Tony Gilham and wife Samantha as well as two of the strong 2021 line-up Jack Goff and Aron Taylor-Smith.
It is the first of the new cars to be launched in what will sure to be an spectacular 2021 season, Team Hard will also run Glynn Geddie and a yet to be named driver.
For Tony Gilham this represents a momentous team for his family run team and what will hopefully be a successful season.
Speaking at the launch, he said: “What a special day for the team, it’s probably the biggest in our history. Pre-season is always an exhausting but equally exciting time and this year we’ve reached new heights in both.
“A huge credit to the team for all of their hard work so far. It’s been an incredibly tough few months with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic trying it’s best to slow down our build program, but we are now ready to hit the track and put the new CUPRA Leon through its paces.
“To have the first hybrid ready BTCC car is a huge achievement for me and the team and something I am immensely proud of. To be the first puts us in a great position for the 2022 season as the BTCC races into a new era, it’s all incredibly exciting.
“Looking a bit closer to the now, we have the 2021 season to really get to grips with the new car and with a bunch of other teams changing cars but opting to run a satellite car this season is going to prove a great test, but we are up for the challenge.
“The team has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and I’m immensely proud of everyone involved. If the new car goes as well as it looks, we will be fighting at the sharp end this season”.
Returning to the team will be Jack Goff, who has had some good times and some challenging times with the team, at the unveiling of the new car Goff can see the potential of the Cupra Leon.
He said: “Wow, just look at that. I know I’m going to be slightly biased, but I genuinely think this is the best-looking touring car I’ve seen, the guys and girls at Team HARD have done a mega job and I can’t wait to get started.
“The results over the last two seasons haven’t reflected the hard work that Tony and the team have put in. This new project with the CUPRA Leon will provide us the platform to really stamp our authority on the BTCC as we move our way up the field. We are under no illusions it will be tough, but we are ready and more determined than ever to get the results we deserve out on track”.
The development will get underway shortly as the team take to the track to begin testing ahead of the start of the BTCC season which gets underway at Thruxton on 8th and 9th May.
Picture supplied by Momentum Social.