Luke Hines to make BTCC return
Former race winner Luke Hines will make a surprise return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in place of the suspended Glynn Geddie at United Autosports.
The 32-year-old competed in the BTCC between 2003 and 2005, picking up three race wins during tenures with the factory Vauxhall and SEAT teams, before forging a successful career in GT competition thereafter.
Now Hines will return to BTCC competition for the final two events at Silverstone and Brands Hatch, where he will drive the Toyota Avensis alongside James Cole.
"I'm thrilled to be returning to the BTCC. I would like to say a huge thank you to United Autosports for this fantastic opportunity. I raced in the championship previously between 2003 to 2005 taken podiums and wins and I can't wait to get my hands on the car. I'm not just going to make up the numbers, I'm excited and I have a lot of unfinished business in the BTCC."
Replacing Geddie, who was suspended by the team pending an investigation for a drink-driving allegation, Hines' arrival has been welcomed by United Autosports' Richard Dean
"I know Luke very well and I am a big fan having run him in Formula Ford and in the Panoz GT2 car. Luke helped my old Team JLR to score a one-two-three podium clean sweep in the big grid, 30+ car Formula Ford days.
"Luke also finished second in the BGT championship with Tom Kimber-Smith when we ran the Panoz in GT2 back in 2006. He is a winner and will add the front wheel drive experience we are looking for with our BTCC programme."
