Tom Butler has signed an eleventh hour deal with 20Ten Racing to join the Michelin Clio Cup Series grid ahead of the season-opening event at Rockingham this weekend (5/6 April).
The 20 year old graduates to the championship with just a single season of car racing under his belt, having competed successfully in the MG Trophy last year, finishing third overall and second in Class C.
The Derby-based racer got his first taste of the Clio today (4th April) during pre-event testing at Rockingham.
“I did quite well in the MG championship last season and for this year we wanted to step-up into something more professional, more nationally recognised,” said Butler.
“The plan is to try and get into the Renault UK Clio Cup next year, money permitting, and then go for touring cars but it’s all down to the sponsorship. It is all a bit last minute, hopefully we’ll have a good weekend though. I’m looking forward to working with the guys at 20Ten – they’re only based just around the corner from me!”
20Ten looked set to be missing the opening rounds of the Clio Series, but a busy few days has seen them sign up Brett Lidsey and now Butler on the eve of the meeting.
“It’s great to have two cars on the grid this weekend, from nothing a week ago we’ve now got two drivers in which is fantastic,” added team principal Simon Hunt.
“Tom got in touch and said he was looking at the series, we saw him on Monday and now we’ve done the deal. He’ll have a lot to learn but he did well in the MG’s. We’re really looking forward to the weekend.”