Dan Zelos Retains BTCC Seat For Brands Hatch Season Finale

02/10/2024 17:00 Share

Dan Zelos will hope to maintain his impressive run of results since joining the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship grid after being confirmed in the Team Bristol Street Motors line-up for the Brands Hatch season finale.

Zelos stepped up into a race seat with the EXCELR8 Motorsport-run squad at the eleventh hour for the event at Donington Park, and was then able to secure the backing needed for a further outing at Silverstone last month.

The latter weekend saw the three-time Vertu MINI CHALLENGE champion power his Hyundai i30 Fastback N to three top ten finishes, which was enough to see him secure weekend honours in the Jack Sears Trophy against rivals who have been out on track competing all season.

Silverstone had been set to mark the final outing for Zelos in the series this season, with his expectation being that he would return to his MINI CHALLENGE role with EXCELR8 for then Brands Hatch weekend.

However, hard work in recent weeks has not only allowed Zelos to retain his place on the BTCC grid for a third successive weekend, but has also ensured that his MINI JCW will also be out on track in the hands of a substitute driver to fly the flag for long-time partner Davanti.

“I honestly didn’t think Brands Hatch in the BTCC car is something that I would be talking about, but here we go again!” he said. “I walked away from Silverstone with my head held high after the weekend we had, and I felt proud to have put on such a strong performance on track and to have secured a trophy in only my second weekend.

“As I’ve said all along, getting onto the BTCC grid for me has been the realisation of a dream and I’m delighted that the dream now goes on to a third weekend.

“I really hope I can finish off what has been amazing year in style, and a huge thank you has to go to EXCELR8, Bristol Street Motors, Vansdirect, Hansford Sensors and Davanti World for all helping to make this possible. Let’s go out there and do it!”

Team Owner Justina Williams was delighted to confirm that Zelos will retain the seat for the season finale.

“After the performances he has put in over the last two weekends, there was no-one we wanted in the car more than Dan for Brands Hatch,” she said. “Stepping into a series like the BTCC in the middle of a season is a big ask, but he has done an amazing job and has really shown his talent on the biggest stage.

“There is no doubting the fact that this is a huge weekend for us as a team with a championship title on the line, and we know that Dan can be relied on to do his part to help us achieve the success we are aiming for.”