Daryl DeLeon to debut in the BTCC with Team HARD. Racing

17-year-old Daryl DeLeon will be stepping in as the replacement driver for the departing Jade Edwards, allowing him to make his BTCC debut for the second half of the 2023 season.

Following the departure of Edwards, DeLeon will be tasked with seeing the Team HARD. Racing CUPRA over the line for the rest of the season, a monumental task when his age, just 17 years old, is taken into consideration.

DeLeon will also be the first driver from the Phillipeans to compete in the British Touring Car Championship, a huge achievement in and of itself.

Winning the Team HARD. Scholarship at the start of 2023 kickstarted his relationship with the team, allowing him to compete in the BEC (British Endurance Championship) with an older BTCC Audi Chassis.

DeLeon has also been competing in the Radical UK championship, in which he leads the field by a substantial amount.

The next round at Croft won't be the first time the paddock has seen DeLeon behind the wheel of a touring car however, DeLeon has been the test and reserve driver for Team HARD since winning the scholarship earlier in the year.

He drove the team's CUPRA in the Goodyear tyre test at the Donington Park GP circuit with great success, The Phillipean driver was on pace with the rest of the field from the green flag and was out performing drivers with a lot more experience.

Whilst the pace at the tyre test doesn't translate to race pace, It's all adding up for Daryl DeLeon to make a successful and memorable debut at Croft.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to drive a touring car in the BTCC championship. I’m very grateful to Tony Gilham and Dave Tyson at Team HARD.  for extending this opportunity and for having faith in me."