Reigning MSA British Rallycross Champion Dan Rooke will be among the British contingent competing at the home of rallycross next month, with the news that the West Country racer will contest the RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires.

The 19 year-old begins his bid for the title in Belgium’s opening round in little under two weeks time, before heading to Lydden Hill, Kent over the weekend of May 27-28.

Rooke become the youngest ever driver to take the British crown after an impressive debut season in Supercars last season. Now the former autocross winner will compete in at least five rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship’s rebranded feeder series, including the British round.

The competition looks set to be fierce, as he goes head-to-head with an array of international competitors, among them reigning champion Cyril Raymond.

“Given my lack of experience in the car, I don’t want to set my sights too high but I think finishing on the podium is a reasonable goal – and ultimately, I want to maintain my career momentum to continue climbing the rallycross ladder,” said Rooke.

He added: “I had the one off drive at Lydden last year and I will have a bit more seat time in the car when I go there this year, so hopefully that means we can get a good result. I think this year’s Lydden event is going to be great, especially as it’s the last World Championship event there for a while. I think a lot of people will turn out to enjoy what should be a fantastic weekend.

“It’s important to me to race in front a home crowd and it means a lot. Last year at the World Championship event it was pretty special to race in front of all those people. In the British Championship I’ve won every event I’ve done at Lydden, so it would be amazing if we can continue good success in this new championship too.”