Nicolas Hamilton, the brother of Formula 1 World Champion Lewis, will this season become the first disabled competitor to participate in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
The 22-year-old, who lives with the neurological condition Cerebral Palsy, will enter five events of the 2015 BTCC season, competing in an Audi S3 with the Essex-based AmD Tuning team.
Hamilton, who has previously competed in the Renault Clio Cup and European touring cars, will begin his 2015 race programme at Croft circuit on 27-28 June, before continuing his season at Snetterton, Rockingham, Silverstone then concluding at the Brands Hatch finale.
He said: “I’m coming into the championship with a lot to learn and my expectations are to develop as a driver as my programme across the season progresses. While I’m aiming to improve as a driver, I’m also hoping to inspire others to strive for their own personal goals, whatever their situation in life.
"Anyone can exceed expectations in one way or another and I hope to prove that when I race alongside not just able-bodied drivers, but the best touring car drivers in the UK.”
AmD Tuning team boss Shaun Hollamby said: "BTCC is a fiercely competitive series with hard wheel-to-wheel racing action on track and we have developed Nicolas’s 2015 program to ensure he enters the championship with a level of preparation. We have a number of test sessions over the coming months, which will enable him to acclimatise to the car.
Hamilton will run as a 'guest' entrant in the five events he undertakes because he does not hold the BTCC licence needed to be eligible for points in the championship.
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Good for him
Good luck