Rob Collard has had the chance to try out the Chevrolet Lacetti after joining Robertshaw Racing for its latest day of testing at Rockingham ahead of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season.
The former WSR driver joined confirmed driver Harry Vaulkhard for the test at the Northamptonshire circuit as he evaluates his options for the year ahead after spending much of 2007 watching on the sidelines.
After scoring two wins for WSR/Team RAC during its time with the MG ZS, Collard found himself without a BTCC drive last season after the team switched to the
BMW and brought in
Tom Onslow-Cole to partner
Colin Turkington and looked set to instead focus his attention on the Porsche Carrera Cup. However, when the deal fell through, Collard instead found himself watching on as the season progressed.
The former Independents' champion did return to the grid for the season finale at
Thruxton – taking a best finish of tenth at the wheel of a GR Asia SEAT Leon – and is now keen to secure a full-time return to the grid for the 50th anniversary BTCC campaign.
"We would love to work with someone like Rob because of the experience he brings," Robertshaw team manager Joe Bradley said. "It would certainly assist us and Harry."
Vaulkhard himself was happy to continue work with the car as he continues to wrack up the miles ahead of his debut season in the BTCC.
"Rob was a great help throughout the day,” he told
Crash.net. "We decided to test at Rockingham to get some tyre data and cover some race distances and we managed to do that despite a few problems with the suspension and the gearbox ratios which we couldn't sort at the track.
"Unfortunately it meant we were unable to run at a pace we know is possible, but we now know what is required for our next visit to the circuit which is what testing is all about. Robertshaw did a great job throughout the day again, and hopefully we will be back out testing again soon."
Robertshaw will be the first team to enter the Lacetti into the BTCC during the coming season.
