GB4 podium finisher Daryl DeLeon has been announced as a Team HARD BTCC driver for the rest of the 2023 season.
The Filipino-British contender competed at Donington Park in GB4 last season with Valour Racing, and took a podium finish in his first ever single-seater race.
Since then, he raced and won in Radicals before being winning the Team HARD scholarship earlier this year, which has seen him campaign an Audi S3 BTCC machine in the British Endurance Championship.
A mid-season driver shuffle had opened up a vacancy at the team for the rest of the season, and after impressing further at a Donington Park tyre test with the squad last week, has been signed up for the remainder of the season, and becomes one of the series’ youngest ever competitors, aged just 17.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to drive a touring car in the BTCC championship,” said DeLeon. “I’m very grateful to Tony Gilham and Dave Tyson at Team HARD for extending this opportunity and for having faith in me.
“I’m still only 17 and the Team HARD scholarship has definitely opened doors, it’s put me in contact with the right people and given me the opportunity to race in the UK’s premier motorsport series.
“I’m looking forward to getting on track. The racing is fantastic but so is everything about the series. The engineers, mechanics and everyone that forms the team plus I’ve experienced racing in front of crowds but touring car spectators are just on another level, they are the best!”
Team HARD owner Tony Gilham is no stranger to giving youngsters a chance in the BTCC, and he reckons he’s unearthed a sensational new talent.
“I am delighted to welcome Daryl into our touring car operation,” he said. “He has impressed us with his exceptional speed and performance, and we believe he has a bright future ahead.
“Daryl’s addition will bring a fresh dynamic to the team, and we are excited to see him in action for the remainder of the season.”
