Just two weeks after clinching a record-breaking third Vertu MINI CHALLENGE crown, Dan Zelos will take the next step in his burgeoning motor racing career at Donington Park this weekend (24-25 August), as he makes his long-awaited debut in the British Touring Car Championship with Team Bristol Street Motors.
Zelos has been knocking on the door of the BTCC – the UK’s premier motorsport series – for some time. A multiple race-winner in Ginetta Juniors and a podium-finisher in the Renault UK Clio Cup, since joining the MINI CHALLENGE midway through 2018, the talented young Norfolk ace has notched up no fewer than 22 victories, 30 further top three finishes, ten pole positions and 22 fastest laps – an unrivalled set of statistics in the fiercely-disputed single-make championship.
In parallel with his own racing programme, for the past two years, Zelos has fulfilled the role of Team Bristol Street Motors’ BTCC Reserve Driver, getting behind the wheel of the title-winning Hyundai i30N during the mid-season tyre test at Snetterton in 2022.
He will return to the cockpit this weekend – only this time, it’s not a drill. Replacing former MINI CHALLENGE team-mate Ronan Pearson – who has parted company with the EXCELR8 Motorsport-run outfit – the 26-year-old Dereham-born hotshot will take to the track around Donington Park’s famous ‘GP’ circuit alongside 2022 BTCC champion Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Nick Halstead.
Following Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session at 15:05 – streamed on ITV Sport’s YouTube channel – every moment of Sunday’s doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4, beginning at 10:45. All three races will also be shown on the ITV Sport TikTok channel, in the UK and globally.
Dan Zelos, Driver, Team Bristol Street Motors, said:
“Obviously it’s a shame that Ronan [Pearson] won’t be in the car for the rest of the season as he is someone I have raced with as a team-mate and who I value as a friend, but on a personal level, I’m thrilled to have the unexpected opportunity to join the BTCC grid at Donington Park.
“I was all-set for a weekend coaching EXCELR8’s drivers in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and now all of a sudden, I’m going to be getting coached by the other drivers on how to get the best out of the Hyundai instead! Competing in the BTCC is what my family and I have been working towards throughout my career and even if this weekend turns out to be a one-off, I’ll be able to say we got there.
“Taking my place on the grid is going to be a huge honour, particularly with a team I have shared so much success with through the years. As a driver, you always go out to try to win, but I’m going into the weekend being realistic as I’m up against a strong field that has been racing all season.
“I hope to put up a competitive showing and fight in the pack, but at the same time, I want to keep my nose clean and not get mixed up in any trouble. Most importantly, I want to keep a smile on my face, but I can’t see that being a problem!”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, Team Bristol Street Motors, said:
“Although the circumstances are unexpected, we are pleased to be able to give Dan the long-overdue opportunity to make his BTCC debut. He has shown himself to be more than deserving of a place on the grid, and we are confident he will do a solid job when he gets behind the wheel of the Hyundai this weekend.
“There is no pressure on him in terms of results, but we know from experience that he will do the best job possible across the weekend and I fully expect him to take this chance with both hands.”
Source: Tyretradenews
