Kent’s very own Andy Wilmot will make his debut in the MSA Dunlop British Touring Car Championship at Rockingham.

Wilmot will take the wheel of the vacant VW Passat for his first ever drive in the premier form of racing on four wheels.

Wilmot is no stranger to Rockingham having raced there in the VW Cup and scoring a fourth place finish this season. He has driven in both the VW Cup and the Dunlop Ford Fiesta Championship.

Tony Gilham has continued his faith in up and coming race drivers by giving Andy the opportunity to race in the BTCC.

Speaking about the opportunity, Wilmot said: “It’s the dream for any tin top driver to be in the BTCC. I signed with Tony two years ago and it was always in the pipeline to progress from the VW Cup to the BTCC and I am just delighted to have been given this opportunity.

“It’s great for my CV and hopefully something that will interest prospective sponsors as I’d love to be in the series full time next year. I have been keeping my hand in by racing a Renault Clio and Megane recently, and I have a race this weekend at Silverstone too, so I shouldn’t be too rusty.

“Of course the step up to the BTCC is huge, however, and I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself. I’ll probably be anxious to try and score some points but I want to enjoy the experience and take it from there.”

Wilmot who is from Dartford is looking forward to being able to fulfil one of his boyhood ambition next weekend.

He added: “I am really excited to be in the same race as people like Plato and Neal as I’ve watched those guys in the BTCC since I was a kid. I feel really privileged to be getting the chance in the best championship in the country and I also feel privileged to be one of the only drivers to have driven the VW Passat in the BTCC. The car has already had some great results and the team has done a fantastic job – now I just can’t wait to get started!”