BTCCPages.com can exclusively reveal that Phil Bennett will join David Leslie at Team Petronas Syntium Proton in 2002. The move will see Bennett, who won three races driving for the Egg:Sport Vauxhall team in 2001, contest his second season in the BTCC. Proton, who will be entering the Waja model in the Touring class of the BTCC, will be relying on both Bennett and previously-announced David Leslie to develop the car during its first year in the series.

Despite having only one year's experience in the BTCC, Phil Bennett has won many fans, and impressed on many an occasion throughout 2001. He will be looking to continue his end of season form, which saw him take a race win at each of the last three meetings of the season, as well as to capitalise on the opportunity to work alongside experienced Scot David Leslie. It is expected that the deal will be officially confirmed within the next week.