Experienced driver returns to West Surrey Racing for one-off 2015 BTCC outing

Former BTCC podium finisher Nick Foster makes a one-off return to the series next weekend after it was confirmed he would drive the Team IHG® Rewards Club BMW at Rockingham (5/6 September).

Regular racer Andy Priaulx misses the event due to scheduled GT commitments with BMW and after careful consideration of some 16 interested drivers, both IHG®Rewards Club and West Surrey Racing opted for Foster’s return.

The experienced driver spent four seasons with WSR in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – scoring one podium – and raced for the squad from the outset of its NGTC-spec BMW 1-Series project in 2013.

Foster enjoyed a competitive two years behind the wheel of the all-conquering BMW 125i M Sport and helped the outfit secure Teams’ and Independent Teams’ titles in 2014.

The Hampshire driver is testing the car at Donington Park today (1 September) where he’ll reacclimatise himself with the striking Bavarian machine, before going on to race the #8 Team IHG® Rewards Club car at Rockingham.

Having scored a hat-trick of points finishes at the Northamptonshire circuit in the same car just two years ago, Foster will be hoping for more of the same this time around.

Nick Foster said: “I can’t wait to work with our championship winning team again and look forward to seeing many familiar faces and old friends in the BTCC paddock. It will be serious business over the weekend, however, as I hope to help the team in their battle for constructors’ and teams’ honours.

“The BMW 1-Series is a car I know very well, WSR is a team I’ve worked with for many years and I also really enjoy racing at Rockingham, so I am delighted to be given this opportunity. I’d like to thank Dick Bennetts, IHG® Reward Club and of course Contour Electronics for putting their faith in me and I can’t wait for the weekend to get underway.”

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: “It’s great to welcome Nick back to the BTCC and he’ll always be a part of the WSR family. People wouldn’t believe the number and calibre of names that wanted to drive for us next weekend, which made for a really tough decision.

“We had to consider what was best for our team, IHG® Rewards Club and the rest of our partners, and came to the conclusion that we needed someone who could get to grips with the car as quickly as possible. We would like to thank everyone for their interest but Nick is quick, hugely experienced and knows how to get the job done in the BTCC. We need a driver who we can trust and hopefully score some solid points at Rockingham – we’re confident Nick is that man.”