Jack Clarke is looking forward to making his debut in the British Touring Car Championship as the season gets underway at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Clarke will be making his debut for Crabbie’s racing who are running a Wrotham based Motorbase Performance Ford Focus.

He will be an easy to spot car on the grid as he will be running the distinctive Crabbie’s brand when the 31 capacity grid reforms on Sunday.

This will be his first run in Tin Tops as he makes the transition from single seater racing and he is keen to impress on the opening weekend.

Speaking ahead of Brands Hatch, the 26-year-old said: “I am delighted to be introducing the Crabbie’s brand to motor sport; the car looks fantastic and has already attracted a great deal of attention,” said Clarke. “The BTCC is a massively popular championship and I am sure that it will be a great platform for the Crabbie’s brand. I am really looking forward to the start of the season.

“I know it will be a big challenge for me as I adapt to touring cars having spent my previous few years in Formula 2 and sports cars. I will also be one of 31 cars on the grid at Brands Hatch – which will be an incredible spectacle and a real test for all the drivers. It is very exciting and I can’t wait for the weekend.”

Brands Hatch is one of the highlights of the BTCC season and with seven champions on the grid this season, it is the most competitive grid ever.

He added: “I am really pleased to be starting my BTCC career at Brands Hatch. I have won lots of races there and as a Surrey boy it is my home circuit. I will be amongst some real motor sport legends with seven previous BTCC champions on the grid, but I plan to make a strong start to what I know will be a ‘learning-curve’ weekend.”

Pictures supplied by Jakob Ebery.