Motorbase retain Collard for 2009

Collard, 40, claimed the Independent team's best BTCC finish with second place at Knockhill in 2008 and added another podium at Brands Hatch to end the year 12th overall and fifth in the Independents standings.

"To re-sign for Motorbase is a great opportunity for me," said Collard. "You see when other teams retain the same car and same driver they get a lot of benefit in terms of consistency, so we hope to replicate that.

"The BMW will be very strong this year and the team has been busy during the close season recruiting new staff and sponsors, so we will have a great package when we line up on the grid for the first race of 2009. I think it's going to be a very good season for us."

Motorbase team boss David Bartrum is delighted to have Collard, who tested for the squad at Brands Hatch on Monday, signed up for another year.

Bartrum said: "It's great to have Rob in the team again for the season ahead. He worked really well with the squad last year to help the car progress throughout the season, and it will be good to have him in it again this year with all that experience.

"We will look to keep that progress going and have an even more positive season in 2009. Having finished the last championship on such a high at Brands Hatch we are really looking forward to going there for the first race of the new campaign."

Motorbase remain optimistic of running a three-car team of BMWs this season, although no teammates for Collard have yet been confirmed.