赛车手概览
Robert John Collard, born on October 1, 1968, is a British auto racing driver hailing from Hampshire, United Kingdom. A seasoned competitor with a career spanning several decades, Collard is best known for his exploits in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). He initially made a name for himself in hot rods before transitioning to circuit racing in his late 20s, spending three years in Formula Ford. Recognizing the limited opportunities in Formula 3 and higher for older drivers, he shifted his focus to saloon-based racing, achieving a commendable third place in the Vauxhall SRi V6 championship.
Collard's BTCC journey began in 2000 in Class B, showcasing his adaptability and skill. He later secured the Independent's Cup title in 2003. He has driven for various teams, including West Surrey Racing (WSR), Motorbase Performance, and Vauxhall, demonstrating his versatility behind the wheel of different marques like Nissan, Renault, MG, SEAT, and BMW. His achievements in the BTCC include multiple race wins and consistent top-ten finishes in the championship standings, with a career-best of 5th overall in 2012 and 2017.
Beyond the BTCC, Collard has also ventured into GT racing. In 2020, he made his debut in the British GT Championship, driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo for Barwell Motorsport. Partnering with Sandy Mitchell, he clinched the British GT Championship title at the Silverstone 500 season finale. Collard comes from a racing family. His father, Mick "Duffy" Collard, was a British Hot Rod Champion and World Champion, and his sons, Ricky and Jordan, are also involved in racing. Outside of racing, Collard owns his own demolition firm, R Collard Ltd.