It has been announced that Dublin-based driver Aron Smith will fill the vacant seat at Triple Eight Race Engineering left by Tony Gilham at this weekend's event at Knockhil. 21-year-old Smith will join regular driver James Nash at the team for the latest round of the British Touring Car Championship.
“I’m over the moon to be making my BTCC debut with a team with such experience as Triple Eight,” said Smith. “I’m certain that they have a very competitive package and I’m equally sure we will work very well together. To get to make my debut at Knockhill makes it even better. The track itself should suit my driving style and now I’m just dying to get out in the car! I know it’ll be a steep learning curve but with the help I'll be getting from the team I’m sure we can get some good results.”
Smith, the younger brother of racer Gavin Smith who drove for the Triple Eight run VX Racing team in 2005 and 2006, has a strong pedigree in single make series.
As well as working towards a degree in structural engineering he has raced in the Clio Cup for the past two seasons. In 2010 he finished fourth in the Italian series, switching to the UK championship for the current season.
Following the most recent championship races at Snetterton in early August he lies second in the overall standings, leading the graduate class with three wins this season. The Clio Cup is not part of the support package for the Knockhill rounds of the BTCC.
Triple Eight chairman Ian Harrison said; “Aron is an impressive young driver and we are delighted to have signed him to drive one of our cars at Knockhill. Making a BTCC debut at Knockhill won't be easy for him, but the Vauxhall chassis is well sorted and should be good around there. I'm sure that once he has settled in to the car he will give a good account of himself.”
