Ex-British Touring Car star Patrick Watts will make his Ginetta GT Supercup debut for TCR at Brands Hatch this weekend. The guest driver will pilot the car formely driven by fellow ex touring car driver Tim Harvey earlier in the year. 

Watts last competed in the BTCC back in the late-nineties with the Esso Ultron Team Peugeot team, since then he has mainly raced in the ranks of historic competition. Watts’ return this weekend marks the first time he will race on slick tyres in ten years.

“It’s a great opportunity given to me by TCR and Ginetta but having not raced anything with slicks on for 10 years, I’m looking forward to driving the 2011 Ginetta G55 – which could be different to my 1950 Allard J2!”, said Watts.
“I hope to be in the top 10 but I’m sure there are some good drivers out there. To be honest, I’ve no idea what the cars look like and I’ve never seen one of the races but I will ‘You Tube’ Ginetta before the weekend!” 

 

Watts’ arrival at TCR will reunite him with team principal Lee Brookes who raced to the Independents Championship crown in the BTCC in 1996 at the wheel of a Toyota Carina before then campaigning an ex-works Peugeot 406 the following season.
 
Speaking about Watts’ debut Brookes said.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Patrick to the team and although the Ginetta will be something completely different for him to get used to, we’re sure he’ll get up to speed quickly. It’s been a long time since he was on the BTCC package so it’ll be great to see him out there again, we’re really looking forward to working with him.”

The next rounds of the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup will be at Brands Hatch this Saturday and Sunday.

Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey (http://www.jakobebrey.com)

Nico is our designated Ginetta GT Supercup correspondent for the 2012 season. Nico is currently studying Journalism at Solent University in Southampton, and you can contact him on nico@btcccrazy.co.uk or on twitter @UgbajaF1 .