Alex MacDowall will continue to race for the RML team in the British Touring Car Championship for a second consecutive season.
The 20-year-old from Carlisle today signed a deal to remain with the Wellingborough-based team, as teammate to reigning BTCC champion Jason Plato.
MacDowall joined the Chevrolet-supported team for the 2010 season for his graduation from the Renault Clio Cup. He enjoyed an impressive maiden season, scoring two podium finishes behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Cruze. He also became the youngest ever driver to qualify on pole position for a BTCC race, at Snetterton at the age of 19. He went on to take a second pole position at Knockhill, where he broke the qualifying lap record at the Scottish circuit.
For his second season in the BTCC, Alex is aiming at a top-six championship finish at least, as well as chasing that precious maiden victory. He feels staying with RML will allow him to fight at the front of the field.
“It's fantastic to be staying with RML for my second year in touring cars, I can't wait to get back behind the wheel of the Cruze and begin preparations for the new season,” he said. “There were some amazing highlights last year and I learnt so much from RML's Silverline Chevrolet Team and from being team-mate to Jason. The aim for 2011 is regular podiums and, hopefully, wins too.”
2011 has already started well for MacDowall, after the British Racing Drivers' Club invited him to become part of its Superstars programme. He is one of just 14 young drivers on the initiative headed by former BTCC champion and ITV commentator Tim Harvey.
“It's a real honour to have been chosen by a panel of highly rated drivers to become a BRDC Superstar,” MacDowall explained. “The BRDC is the most prestigious club in British motor racing so it's fantastic to be one of the very few drivers that make it onto the Superstars programme. I'll do my very best to maintain it.”
The 2011 British Touring Car Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch in Kent on 2/3 April. Prior to that, MacDowall's first appearance of the year with the RML team will come at the annual BTCC Media Day at Silverstone on Thursday 24th March.