Gilham pleased to have Holland and Fuller for Team Hard's Passat

Youngster Howard Fuller has been confirmed in a share deal with American racer Robb Holland to compete in Tony Gilham’s second VW Passat CC for Team Hard, in this season’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

After competing at Snetterton and Knockhill, Holland who became America’s first BTCC driver since 1975, is yet to confirm his full 2013 plans but is expected to combine a full season in the World Touring Car Championship with selected rounds of the BTCC; most likely to be the same as he competed in 2012.

This leaves the seat free for Fuller to drive for the team in the remaining meetings although he admitted that he is still trying to raise the budget to compete a full season. Should this materialise, team boss Gilham confirmed that he will build a 3rd NGTC Passat for Holland, whilst admitting that he has another 4 drivers waiting in the wings to take part in selected rounds sharing the 3rd car with the American.

Fuller, like Holland, drove for Team Hard in two events last season at Rockingham and Silverstone in the team’s sole car the ex Gordon Shedden S2000 Honda Civic. The 20 year old impressed in his two meetings finishing 12th in terrible conditions at Rockingham and finished a best of 11th at Silverstone, although Fuller did win for Team Hard in their VW Cup car at Rockingham earlier in the year.

Fuller is set to be the youngest driver on the grid for 2013 and is delighted to be there saying, “It has all come together nicely, and it’s great to know that I’ll be on the grid. It can be frustrating reading about everyone else’s plans while I’ve been busy trying to secure my own place. I’m just thankful to Tony for the opportunity and I can’t wait to work with him and the team again. I am confident in my own ability and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Gilham is also delighted to have Fuller back for 2013 after impressing both in the BTCC and VW Cup and said, “Howard is a very good driver. He won for us in the VW Cup and the whole team loves him. We rewarded him with a BTCC drive at Rockingham last year and he did so well that we put him back in the car for Silverstone. I am sure he will do a great job for us.”