Rob Huff signs for Sebastien Loeb Racing to race VW Golf in WTCR
One-time World Touring Car champion Rob Huff will contest the World Touring Car Cup in 2018 as part of Sebastien Loeb Racing's line-up in a Volkswagen Golf GTi
Huff, who claimed the 2012 WTCC title with Chevrolet, contested campaigns in the WTCC and TCR International Series last year, joining the Team WRT VW TCR squad at the second round of the season.
He scored a win on his final TCR appearance of the season at Zhejiang, while team-mate Jean-Karl Vernay was crowned drivers' champion at the Dubai season finale.
Huff has raced in the WTCC since its original relaunch in 2005 and will continue to drive VW machinery in the new WTCR world cup this year, with SLR electing to adopt the VW Golf model after the reformed series' switch to TCR regulations for 2018.
The decision to run Volkswagens also means SLR will form an alliance with Volkswagen Motorsport.
Mehdi Bennani, who claimed the 2016 WTCC Independents' title, will partner the Briton at the squad founded by nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb and Dominique Heintz.
"It's great to join the WTCR, which is run by the same people at Eurosport Events I've worked with for 13 years in the WTCC, and continue the great relationship I started with Volkswagen last year in TCR," said Huff.
"It's also a fantastic opportunity to join Sebastien Loeb's team. They've won the WTCC independents' title for the last two years and, with no manufacturer entries in WTCR, that'll put us right at the front.
"My aim this year is absolutely to win the title."
Bennani was the first driver SLR ran in the WTCC, and contested the last three campaigns with the squad in a Citroen C-Elysee.
"Staying with Sebastien Loeb Racing for another campaign was an easy and obvious decision as we have built a strong relationship of trust over the years," said the Moroccan, who won six WTCC races.
"WTCR cars are slightly different from the previous ones I raced but our technical team has already showcased their professionalism and expertise, so I'm confident we can fight for wins right from the start with the Golf GTi TCR."
2018 WTCR line-up so far
Comtoyou Audi: Denis Dupont, Aurelien Panis
BRC Racing Hyundai: Norbert Michelisz, Gabriele Tarquini
Sebastien Loeb Racing Volkswagen: Rob Huff, Mehdi Bennani
Boutsen Ginion Honda: TBA
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