- Hines returns to BTCC after near 10-year absence from “tin tops”
United Autosports heads to the penultimate Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting of the year with Luke Hines partnering James Cole. Hines replaces Glynn Geddie who was suspended by the team for this weekend’s (27-28 Sep) three races around the 1.64-mile Silverstone “National” track.
Luke, the son of former karting champion and Zip Kart founder and owner Martin Hines, took Production Class honours in the 2003 BTCC. He won two races in 2004 with Vauxhall finishing 10th in the standings – improving one place the following season with SEAT after one victory. Since then Hines competed in GT and sportscar racing in Europe and North America.
Hines had a seat fitting in the United Autosports’ workshop last week and tests the Toyota Avensis for the first time tomorrow (23rd Sep) at Angelsey with Cole also on hand.
#20 Drivecool / Autoglym / HELLA – Toyota Avensis
James Cole (GB)
Age: 26. Born: Southport, England. Lives: Liverpool, England.
“I have fantastic memories of Silverstone. Winning there on my 21st birthday whilst I was racing in Formula Ford was a highlight.
“The National circuit is a perfect short circuit race track. Long straights should hopefully promote lots of overtaking opportunities. I know our car will be set up well for there. I just hope we can make use of the long straights especially in race trim.”
#21 Autoglym / HELLA – Toyota Avensis
Luke Hines (GB)
Age: 32. Born: Hoddesdon, Herts. Lives: Silverstone, N’thants.
“It is a great opportunity to be racing with United Autosports. I am excited to get back into BTCC having won races with Vauxhall and SEAT – I have unfinished business in the series. The cars have changed and I need to get to grips with that so will be working hard.
“After my stint in BTCC, I raced sportscars and GT car and worked with Richard Dean in Formula Ford and with the Panoz GT2 car. The last time I raced at Silverstone was earlier this year when I finished sixth in a British GT Championship race. I live in Silverstone village so this is definitely my ‘home’ circuit!”
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:
“We are looking forward to heading to Silverstone for the next BTCC rounds. It’s a great track and we are hopeful of good results. We have Luke joining us in the second car so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.”