Collard makes surprise WSR return

Collard won twice for Motorbase Performance last year on his way to sixth in the standings, and had looked certain to remain with the Kent-based squad.

However, he said that the opportunity to return to the team with which he took his maiden BTCC race win in 2005 in an MG, was "too good to turn down."

"I could see these BMWs on track last year and they just looked awesome," Collard said. "It was a very difficult decision for me to make a late switch from Motorbase.

"However, I have to think about what's best for my career and to now be driving in a championship-winning team is a big bonus."

Collard, 41, will partner Andy Neate at WSR in a pair of 320si models and team principal Dick Bennetts is delighted with his signing.

"It will be really great to have Rob back with us in a BMW," he said. "Rob already has two years' experience in the 320si. We are really looking forward to see how he performs with our set-ups on the car."

Bennetts said that he is still trying to finalise a deal to run a third car for Colin Turkington, who took the drivers' championship in a WSR BMW last year.