The vacant drive at Team RAC was arguably the most attractive on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship grid – but has now gone the way of teenager
Tom Onslow-Cole, who will step up from the Renault Clio Cup.
The Clio champion will make his BTCC debut in the second
BMW 320si alongside
Colin Turkington and
Crash.net spoke to him to see how he felt…
Q:
Tom, congratulations on the deal. You must be delighted, not only to be making the step up to the BTCC, but to also be making that step with such a leading team?
Tom Onslow-Cole:
Yes, thank you. I’m ecstatic; the whole thing is so surreal and hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s so amazing to not only make the step into touring cars, but to do it with Team RAC who are a front running team with a front running car. It’s an unbelievable opportunity.
Q:
Looking back to 2006 it was the Clio Cup and a chance to show the BTCC teams what you could do. You took the title in dominant style, did you expect the year to go as well as it did?
Tom Onslow-Cole:
I didn’t really know what to expect back at the start of 2006. 2005 had gone quite well for us but we had a bit of bad luck through the year and we were tipped as favourites for the title last season. But half way through the year, I started having to pinch myself. It was a fantastic year, it went so well.
Q:
It’s been a while since the rumours started that you were attracting the attention of Team RAC and Dick Bennetts? How did the deal come about?
Tom Onslow-Cole:
It was only signed two weeks ago but we started the process quite a while ago now, half way through last season. We approached WSR and went to meet them. I saw the team and met a few people and from then on, they were the only people we spoke to. They made us feel quite welcome, I went there with my dad, and when we left, we left with a good feeling and decided it was where we wanted to go. But then I had to go out and prove myself worthy of the seat.
Q:
You’re coming into a seat in arguably the best S2000 car out there in the BMW 320si. How exciting is it to be making your touring car debut in the same model of car that has just won the WTCC title?
Tom Onslow-Cole:
It’s an unbelievable feeling and I have the best chance to do well. It’s an amazing car although I’ve yet to test it and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. It’s a very nice office that’s for sure!
Q:
How much are you looking forward to getting behind the wheel for the first time?
![Tom Onslow-Cole will drive for Team RAC in the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship [Pic credit: Motorsport News]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/285481.jpg)
