Collard, Ilott & Rooke selected for MSA Team UK

Young racers Ricky Collard and Callum Ilott have joined rallycross star Dan Rooke as new members of MSA Team UK, the pinnacle of the MSA Academy talent development pathway.

Now in its tenth year, Team UK is a national squad of potentially elite drivers who are hand-picked to receive bespoke one-on-one performance management as they progress towards the sport’s top levels. Members work with an MSA Level Four Qualified Performance Manager and each driver’s programme is tailored to their needs.

All three new Team UK members have been part of the MSA Academy's Squad programme, while Collard has also completed the three-year AASE course run in conjunction with Loughborough College.

Collard (21) was runner-up in the 2016 British F3 Championship and spent 2017 competing in the ADAC GT Masters for German team BMW Schnitzel, winning his debut GT3 Race in the series.

Collard said: “Graduating to Team UK is the greatest honour. Since joining the MSA Academy I have managed to put into practice the skills learnt from the workshops, which has paid dividends in my racing career, on and off the track. I am extremely excited about the future and look forward to learning the next steps needed to become a young professional.”

Ilott (19) finished fourth in the 2017 FIA F3 European Championship with six wins and 11 podiums, and more pole positions and fastest laps than any other driver. He ended his campaign with a qualification race win at the Macau GP/FIA F3 World Cup. He will race in the 2018 GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix.

Ilott said: “After joining the MSA Academy towards the middle of last year with the intention of reaching Team UK, I am very pleased to be selected as a member of the national squad. I feel that being part of Team UK and working closely with the coaches will further enhance my performance, both on and off the track.”

Rooke (20) won the 2016 MSA British Rallycross Championship in his debut year in the Supercar class and finished second in the 2017 RX2 International Rallycross Series.

Rooke said: “I can't wait to continue my development as a driver on MSA Team UK! I hope the programme will give me a more in depth understanding of what it takes to turn professional and to give me the skills to do so. I'd like the thank the MSA for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it!

The three new recruits join the nine existing MSA Team UK members:

Jack Aitken (22)
Ben Barnicoat (21)
Jake Dennis (22)
Jake Hughes (23)
Chris Ingram (23)
Jordan King (23)
Seb Morris (22)
Lando Norris (18)
Osian Pryce (24).


Greg Symes, MSA Academy Manager, said: "With the addition of Ricky, Callum and Dan, Team UK features a dozen of the UK's most promising young race, rally and rallycross drivers. Through bespoke performance management, we aim to equip each member of Team UK with the tools they needs to establish themselves at the highest echelons of the sport for years to come."


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