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Team RAC and Tom Onslow-Cole have parted company ahead of the 2008 British
Touring Car Championship season.
Having lifted the 2006 Renault Clio title, Onslow-Cole impressed in his
debut BTCC season, finishing tenth overall in his RAC BMW 320si. He achieved
four podium results, among them a memorable maiden victory at Snetterton.
But a team statement today confirmed that the 20-year-old would not be part
of its line-up next year. Onslow-Cole was unavailable for comment.
Team Principal Dick Bennetts said: “Team RAC would like to thank Tom for his
efforts with us in 2007. To record a race win in his debut season is an
achievement Tom should be very proud of, and we wish him all the best for his
future racing career.
“Team RAC is committed to putting together a team capable of winning the
British Touring Car Championship in 2008. We learnt a great deal in 2007 about
our new BMW 320si car, and believe we can really put together a challenge for
the top honours next year. We are currently reviewing our driver options and
will announce details of these in due course.”
The statement added that the squad will embark on a winter test programme
early next year with its BMWs. It feels there is more performance to be wrung
from the German machines as, with limited testing mileage prior to the 2007
season, it took until the half-way stages to find the cars’ true form on the
BTCC’s Dunlop control tyre.
Onslow-Cole’s team-mate Colin Turkington went on to top four of the season’s
ten qualifying sessions, winning three times en route to fifth in the final
standings.
He also won the Independent Drivers’ title while RAC also lifted the
Independent Teams’ trophy.
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