Hines signs final Team LNT Panoz seat

British Touring Car race winner Luke Hines has moved away from the BTCC and signed for Team LNT to race in the 2006 British GT Championship.

The 23 year old from Harlow in Essex made the decision to join Team LNT after testing for the Yorkshire based team last month as part of the team’s extensive Sebring preparations for the 12-hour race later this month.

The signing reunites Hines with former team mate Tom Kimber-Smith as the pair both drove for Richard Dean’s Formula Ford outfit in 2002.

Team LNT managing director Richard Dean commented, “Luke went well in the test at Sebring. I know he is very capable and very quick. The partnership with Tom is really exciting and should certainly liven up the BGT paddock. They are good friends and both winners.

“Lawrence Tomlinson has a desire to give young British drivers a chance and bring them through the team and into the International scene if they perform”.

Upon confirmation of the seat, Hines said “This is a great opportunity for me to prove myself in GT racing. When I drove the car in Sebring, it was just awesome and without question the quickest thing I have ever driven. I am looking forward to working with a top team like Team LNT who have given me a wonderful opportunity and having Tom as my team mate and Richard as team boss it could not be better.

“We all worked well together in 2002, and 2006 is going to be even better. I just can’t wait for the season to start”.

Luke now joins in with Team LNT’s testing programme to prepare for the British GT Championship. Over the past two days, the Team have been conducting exclusive testing at Pembrey on the 7th and 8th of March with a continuation of tyre testing and ongoing chassis development of the Panoz Esperante. Test reports can be found here.