The reigning British GT3 champions Rob and Ricky Collard are unlikely to defend their crown collectively in 2025 on account of the price of racing.
On Sunday the Barwell Motorsport drivers clinched the title on the Manufacturers Hatch season finale, ending 5 factors forward of championship runners-up Sandy Mitchell and Alex Martin within the sister Lamborghini Huracan.
However the feelings have been very bittersweet as a result of the Collards wouldn’t have a seat confirmed for subsequent 12 months and at the moment lack the sources to seek out one.
When requested if he and son Ricky might be co-drivers at Barwell once more in 2025, Rob informed Autosport: “I feel that is most likely unlikely. I can not see, except we get an enormous sponsor, how that may occur.”
It’s really frequent for the champions to not be co-drivers the next 12 months, as collection legends Jonny Adam and Derek Johnston have been the final to take action in 2017.
Collard Sr has even thought-about retiring and the 55-year-old will determine over the winter, as his precedence is to seek out alternatives for Ricky and his different son Jordan, who completed second within the 2020 GT4 standings.
“I do not actually know in the mean time, however I’ll most likely be racing,” mentioned the now two-time British GT3 champion Collard Sr, who additionally didn’t defend his title in 2021.
Rob and Ricky Collard have fun with Barwell Motorsport
Picture by: Jakob Ebrey Images
“I wish to assume there will be some good alternatives and good offers now we’re champions, whether or not that is in the UK or Europe I am not fussed.
“I am hoping that Ricky might be picked up and I might very very like to see Jordan again in a race automobile as properly – so wait and see.”
Collard Jr was extremely emotional at Manufacturers Hatch, coming near tears in parc ferme after he claimed the title in his rookie season, following two irritating years within the British Touring Automobile Championship,
“In the intervening time I am unemployed,” he mentioned. “I put that all the way down to why I used to be upset as a result of I have not bought a seat for subsequent 12 months – this might be my final ever race.
“I might love to stick with Barwell and Lamborghini, I might like to race with my dad and the dream scenario could be for us to attempt to defend this title.
“However sadly, it’s financially unattainable. So if there’s any groups on the market searching for a British GT champion to spearhead their championship subsequent 12 months I might like to get involved.”