McRae to join BTCC?

A Nissan Primera looks set to join the British Touring Car Championship with a ETCC spec Primera to be run by RJN Motorsport.

The team has close links with Nissan, having contested the ETCC in 2001 with Primeras and taking wins at Nurburgring and Jarama. Most recently, they have been involved with Nissan's 2004 Dakar campaign, undertaking the preparation work for its vehicles including the one driven by Colin McRae.

The car the team is considering entering is one built in 2002 by the works Nissan Motorsport Europe squad of the latest shape Primera.

"We are less likely to be involved with the raid programme this season so have this excellent opportunity to return to touring car racing" the official TOCA website reports RJN team principal Bob Neville.

"Of course, we would need to find sponsors as this is an Independent programme, but the BTCC is a fantastic opportunity with its TV package".

The site also reports Neville as insisting that no driver had been lined up for the drive, but imagine the publicity for the series if McRae was to have a stab? With nothing certain on the horizon for the WRC star save for a run at Le Mans in the offing, a drive at some of the BTCC races in 2004 would be sure to boost the series, especially with its new live to air ITV1 coverage.

Something for series boss Alan Gow to be working on...