Sam Watkins will return for a full season in the Renault UK Clio Cup this year with 20Ten Racing, having made his series debut at the end of last season.
The 17 year old joined the grid at Silverstone and Brands Hatch with the Derby-based squad, a tough introduction seeing him retire from three of the four races contested.
“I learnt a huge amount at Silverstone and Brands Hatch. This is all about racing on the big stage alongside the BTCC, so now I know what to expect in 2016,” said the former Ford Fiesta Juniors racer.
“The biggest thing is being confident in a racing situation – the UK Clio Cup is where drivers come to show what they are made of before the step up to international touring car, sportscar or GT competition so inevitably things get very competitive.
“But having now tested the water I feel ready for what lies ahead and am really looking forward to getting back on track with some pre-season testing.”
Watkins is 20Ten’s first confirmed driver for 2016, with the former series race-winners targeting a positive season following a tougher than anticipated 2015.
“Silverstone and Brands Hatch were all about Sam getting a taste for what the UK Clio Cup is about and he adapted well,” said team principal Simon Hunt.
“As his experience of both the car and the touring car-type racing in the UK Clio Cup builds I can see him emerging as a real front-runner as the 2016 season progresses.
“Certainly I’m very happy to have been able to hang on to him as we look to build on our positive results.”
