Collard ruled out of Rockingham and Knockhill

Rob Collard has been ruled out of the next two British Touring Car Championship events at Rockingham and Knockhill on medical grounds.

Collard had already been forced to sit out the final race at Snetterton last time out after a heavy high-speed shunt at Richies corner in race two left the Team BMW driver with a concussion, which also rendered his BMW 125i M Sport machine unrepairable on site.

The 49-year old has been racing under observation from TOCA's medical team since suffering a previous high-impact crash at Silverstone 2017, which also left him with concussion at the time.

"After suffering a serious concussion in a crash at Silverstone in 2017, I was cleared to return to racing earlier this year while remaining under close monitoring by the TOCA medical team," said Collard.

"Following a pair of high-speed, high-impact accidents in Races One and Two at Snetterton, and after reviewing the results of a concussion test with the medics at the track, it was ruled that I was unfit to participate in the special ‘Diamond Double’ race and that I should not race at Rockingham or Knockhill either.

"I’m absolutely gutted for Team BMW, all my sponsors and supporters and I’d like to thank the TOCA medical team for their professionalism and support, as always."

West Surrey Racing will announce a substitute driver in place of Collard's seat in the coming days.