Sam Watkins will make his Renault UK Clio Cup debut at Silverstone later this month after signing a deal to complete the remaining two rounds of the season with 20Ten Racing.
The Swansea-based racer competed in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship last season with Clio outfit WDE Motorsport, picking up three podium finishes across the season.
One of those was a victory at Silverstone, which helped him to fourth overall in the standings, one place behind current Clio Cup competitor Tom Grundy.
Watkins has made only one outing this season in the main BRSCC Fiesta Championship, finishing in fourth and eighth on the opening weekend of the season at Silverstone.
The 17 year old has since got some testing under his belt in preparation for his Clio debut, running at Donington Park in June and then Oulton Park last month, where he received tutelage from BTCC racer Adam Morgan,
“The Clio Cup very much marks another level up for me in my racing career. I’m treating Silverstone and Brands Hatch as opportunities to learn about the car and the championship ahead of some winter testing and then a full season in 2016,” said Watkins.
Watkins Has Got To Grips With His Clio At Oulton – Photo: Facebook/Sam Watkins Racing
“If I’m able to put in reasonable lap times compared to the others on the grid then I’ll come away content as this will give me a good starting point for my preparations ahead of next year.”
20Ten Racing joins Peter Felix and Graham Field in the 20Ten line-up, following the high-profile departures of Jordan Stilp and Jack Mitchell from the team in recent meetings.
“We’re very excited to have Sam joining us – it’s always nice when a youngster with lots of potential comes into your team as it gives you the opportunity to progress together with longer-term ambitions in mind,” added 20Ten team principal Simon Hunt.
“Sam has also got his feet on the ground in terms of what he realistically expects to achieve at Silverstone and Brands Hatch and that’s always a bonus!”
