Matt Hamilton prepares for BTCC debut

Former single-seater racer Matt Hamilton is on course to join the BTCC later this season, as a prelude to a full 2010 campaign in the series. The ex-Formula Palmer Audi star is due to make his debut at Rockingham, but plans could be brought forward for a Silverstone debut if things progress smoothly.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, the nineteen-year-old revealed he was really looking forward to making his bow in the series, citing it a “complete change of direction for me.”

Hamilton will be campaigning an ex-Andy Priaulx and Matt Neal Honda Civic, with the TH Motorsport team that currently run John George in the series, for the final two rounds of the championship at Rockingham and Brands Hatch, although a Silverstone debut could still be on the cards, as he prepares for a full 2010 season.

Having recently tested the Civic at Rockingham, Hamilton is due to run again at Donington on Friday before his entry to the series is officially lodged. The team behind him are confident he’ll make the change comfortably and do well, beginning a successful career in touring cars.

Commenting to TouringCarTimes on his switch from a single-seater career that has seen him compete successfully in FPA, Formula BMW and Formula Ford, Matt said;

“It’s the right time for me to change to saloons. In single-seaters everyone wants to get to Formula One, so if you don’t do that then you’ve not really achieved your aim, but touring cars is something that interests me.

“I’ve had a keen interest in the series for a long time as a spectator, as there’s nothing else at that level with that style of racing out there, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Having made his closed top debut earlier this year, partnering Tom Dunstan in a Ginetta G50 to 5th place in a round of the highly competitive FIA GT4 Cup at Silverstone, Hamilton admitted that he’d found it “frustrating” that several potential drives for this season had fizzled out. Now though he has to turn his attention to preparing for his debut in the close, door-to-door racing of the BTCC.

In addition to having to adapt to sitting on the right, Hamilton revealed there was one other key difference between the Civic and his previous drives that he’ll be getting used to before making his racing debut.

“The biggest thing to get used to is the front wheel drive, as when I tested the car a couple of weeks ago it was the first time I’d driven a front wheel drive car.

“I’m not expecting miracles, but with the testing restrictions in the BTCC it’s valuable seat time to get out there and get racing ahead of next season.”