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Team RAC has today confirmed its full driver line-up for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, after naming Tom Onslow-Cole as its second driver for the 2007 season.
Tom Onslow-Cole (19) is widely tipped as a British Touring Car Champion of the future. In 2006 he established himself as a major force in the Elf Renault Clio Cup winning by a staggering 113 point margin including ten wins and six additional podium finishes.
Tom joins Colin Turkington who will continue to drive for Team RAC this season. Colin had a superb year in 2006, in which he finished third in the overall driver’s championship including two wins.
The drivers will each be behind the wheel of a BMW 320si E90, the car that won the World Touring Car Championship for Andy Priaulx in 2006.
Onslow-Cole said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Team RAC. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to make my first step into touring car racing and will be doing my best to ensure Team RAC is at the front of the grid.”
Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: “I believe Team RAC have an incredibly strong driver line-up for this year’s championship. Tom is a very talented young driver who had a successful year in the Elf Renault Clio Cup. We’re also delighted to retain Colin for this season and are confident that with a new car and talented drivers, 2007 will be a superb season for Team RAC.”
Alastair Pegg, Director of RAC Marketing, said: "RAC are looking forward to working with and seeing Tom behind the wheel for the coming season. We were very keen to see young talent being given the chance to prove themselves at a higher level with Team RAC and we're very confident in Tom's ability. We watched him prove his credentials in the Renault Clio Cup last year which was a fantastic achievement and we're delighted he's now on board at Team RAC. Alongside Colin Turkington we feel that they'll prove a formidable team in the BTCC."
Tom Onslow-Cole profile:
Name: Tom Onslow-Cole
DOB: 16 May 1987
Lives: New Malden, Surrey
Height: 6’, 181cm
Other facts: Tom works in business development at an import company
Favourite Track: Thruxton
Best Race: Round 17, Brands Hatch, 2006
Motorsport Hero: Valentino Rossi
BMW 320si E90 Technical Information:
Dimensions Length: 4535 mm
width: 1845 mm
wheelbase: 2763 mm
minimum weight: 1140 kg
Engine 4-cylinder in line, longitudinally installed;
distribution: two overhead camshafts, 16 valves
displacement: 1999 cc
bore x stroke: 86 86 mm
compression ratio: 11:1
maximum output: 275 bhp @ 8300 rpm
maximum torque: 242 nm @ 7250 rpm
engine management: BMW Motorsport ECU 404
lubrication: wet sump
Transmission Rear wheel drive
gearbox: BMW Hpattern 5-speed, with straight cut gears and dog engagement
clutch: carbon-fibre single plate
differential: mechanical limited slip differential
Brakes Power assisted dual circuit system
front brakes: 4 piston calipers, 332 mm steel ventilated discs
rear brakes: 2 piston calipers, 291 mm steel discs
Chassis Front suspension: double joint strut, coil springs, gas filled dampers, anti roll bar
rear suspension: five arm multi link axle, coil springs, gas filled chambers, anti roll bar
steering: power assisted rack and pinion
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