For the first time in almost 20 years, a BTCC car will take part in a night race. This will take place at Brands Hatch this weekend for the Britcar finale in to the night event.

Jesse Chamberlain and Ben Wallace will be the lucky pairing to enjoy this unique opportunity and we very much look forward to welcoming Jesse to the team and also seeing Ben continue his rate of progression within the Team HARD motorsport programme.

Jesse said, "Thank you to Team HARD for giving me this opportunity to race in this exciting event. It’s been a career goal to race in a BTCC car and to do that with Team HARD is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the after the dark racing and especially as this is the first time in so many years that a touring car has entered in to this type of event and I’m honoured to bring back the touring car to endurance racing with me at the wheel. I’m also looking forward to racing with Ben and I’m sure we will be competitive and will be pushing for a great result."

Ben commented, "Like Jesse I am honoured to be given this opportunity and can’t wait to get out on track for what will be my first time driving a BTCC car. I’ve been with Team HARD for a couple of seasons now and I’m loving every minute, it is amazing that one team can offer such a variety of cars for its drivers and enables us to build a real strong relationship as we look to continue my development as a driver and build on my career. This will give us plenty to think about over the winter as we look at options for 2018."

This isn’t the first time that the Team HARD Toyota Avensis, previously piloted by Jake Hill, will compete in the Britcar Championship this season having already been raced by Adam Hatfield at Oulton Park picking up a class win on its debut.

Tony added, "A very warm welcome to what is very much a family team to Jesse and looking forward to working with him this weekend. I’m sure he will love every minute and I’m keen to see how he adapt to the new machinery. He is a great driver with lots of potential so we will see what we can do as we look forward to 2018. Ben has been involved with us for a while now and is still so young but way ahead of his years with his maturity and have no doubt that he will shine this weekend on track. It’s always exciting to see the Team HARD colours on a BTCC car and especially in a night race which always adds to the experience."

Photo: Dave Maries