Eighteen-year-old signs with TRS Arden team for MSA Formula title assaultCollard joins Enaam Ahmed and Sandy Mitchell at Arden to complete three-man team

Ricky Collard, a podium finisher last season in Formula Ford, is to return to Ford EcoBoost-powered competition in 2015 at the wheel of a TRS Arden-prepared MSA Formula car. The Hampshire 18-year-old completes Arden’s line-up for the coming season, joining Sandy Mitchell and Enaam Ahmed on the squad.Collard, son of BTCC racer Rob, came close to winning races on several occasions in Formula Ford during his maiden season of car racing, ending the year seventh overall in the championship and runner-up in the Scholarship division for rookies. He’s excited about his switch to MSA Formula, the UK’s FIA-certified Formula 4 championship: “I’m buzzing to get going again and really get stuck into the championship, which is looking to have the best junior talent in the country this year.“Last season was mixed for me, but I learned so much and hope that I can use that experience to claim some big results this year. Enaam and I were team-mates in my final year of cadet karting; to be able to team up with him again in car racing, particularly after what he’s achieved in the last 12 months, is exciting. Both he and Sandy will push me.”TRS Arden team principal Garry Horner added: “We are very happy to sign Ricky to our junior team. He already has a year’s experience so has invaluable track and Mygale-Ford knowledge. He completes a really good line-up for us.”MSA Formula – Certified by FIA, Powered by Ford EcoBoost is Britain’s official version of the FIA’s Formula 4 concept and will be the British Touring Car Championship’s single-seater support series, enjoying live TV coverage and bumper raceday spectator attendance. The 12 teams who will contest it are Arden Motorsport, Carlin, Double R Racing, Falcon Motorsport, Fortec Motorsport, JHR Developments, JTR, MBM Motorsport, Richardson Racing, Scorpio Motorsport, SWB Motorsport and Team Pyro.