Former BTCC race winner Rob Collard is switching to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season, having concluded a deal to race with defending champions Team Parker Racing.Collard, one of the leading contenders in the BTCC over recent seasons, is sure to be a title contender alongside fellow former BTCC racer Tim Harvey and relishes a fresh challenge after nearly a decade of racing front-wheel drive saloon and touring cars."I looked around and the Carrera Cup offered a great opportunity to run in a frontline championship with a frontline team," said Collard. "I'm looking forward to getting established in the Carrera Cup."Although the deal was relatively late coming together, Collard was ready for his first full day of testing with Stuart Parker's team at Snetterton on Thursday (15 March). "I came here on Tuesday for a general test, but this is my first proper day of running," said Collard on Thursday. "I'm trying to get as many laps as I can and there is obviously an art to driving these cars quickly."Having been considering the Carrera Cup for some time, subject to the situation in touring cars, Collard is also hoping that he will get the chance to sample the Porsche Supercup later in the season.Collard's Carrera Cup campaign will be supported by the Whitmore Group and Linton Fuels.