Tom Onslow-Cole steps out of Team Hard VW British Touring Car seat
Tom Onslow-Cole will not contest the remainder of this year's British Touring Car Championship with Team Hard
The 26-year-old currently lies 11th in the standings after scoring three podiums in the squad's new-for-2013 VW Passat.
He has now decided to step aside as Team Hard tries to continue development of the NGTC machine.
Team boss Tony Gilham, who did not rule out putting another driver in the Passat for the remaining three BTCC rounds, told AUTOSPORT: "Tom wants to win championships and doesn't feel the car is a race winner at the moment.
"It makes more sense to spend the money on testing and developing the car. You don't get much testing at race meetings."
Gilham also confirmed that Howard Fuller, who made two BTCC appearances last season and was originally scheduled to drive a Passat this year, will make his NGTC debut at Rockingham in one of the team's Vauxhall Insignias.
"In for at least the next two rounds is Howard," added Gilham. "He's waited all year and now he's ready to show what he can do.
"The Insignia is a quick car and hopefully he can be in the top 10."
Regular Team Hard driver Jack Goff, who missed the Knockhill round, will be back for Rockingham as planned.
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