Priaulx to replace Bennett at Oulton

Bennett was banned from the Oulton Park sprint race after several clashes at Croft last week, including a collision with team mate and championship contender Jason Plato.

But Triple Eight Engineering, which runs both the Egg-backed and Vauxhall Motorsport Astras, has decided to withdraw Bennett from the Oulton Park feature race and replace him with Priaulx. Both the sprint and feature races have the same qualifying session preventing the team from using a different driver in each race.

Priaulx, who is competing in the British Formula 3 Championship this year with Alan Docking Racing, has already tested with Triple Eight, when he drove a Super Touring Vectra and the Guernseyman will team up this weekend with Egg Sport regular James Thompson.

"I'm really pleased to get selected for this," said Priaulx. "I'll be in at the deep end, but I just want to do a good professional job in a supportive role. I'm sure I'll get slapped around a bit, but I'll just try and bring the car home."

Rumours suggest that Vauxhall is not happy with Priaulx being drafted in and would have preferred Bennett to sit out the sprint race and just take part in the feature event. However, Triple Eight is thought to have been reluctant to have Bennet's car empty for one race, due to its contract with sponsors Egg.