Barwell Motorsport will field two privately-run Astra Coupes in the Touring class of the BTCC in 2002. The team will take delivery of the only 'customer' 2002 spec Astras, which will be built by Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Barwell have also announced the first of their two drivers for their assault on the 2002 championship - youngster, Tom Chilton. Currently aged just 16 years, (his 17th birthday falls just before the start of the new season), he will become the youngest ever driver in the BTCC. He will be partnered by an, as yet unconfirmed, 'experienced' touring car driver.

Chris Needell of Barwell Motorsport, commented "We're looking to achieve two objectives; firstly to move up to the Touring class with the Astras, and secondly to bring new talent in to the series." Regarding the choice of Chilton to drive the car, he said, "Tom's a pretty exciting driver - he's quick and very promising for the future. Also with the series appealing to an ever younger audience, it will be great for the young fans to see a driver, not much older than themselves, right up at the front." It's currently expected that one of Barwell's existing drivers, James Kaye and Simon Graves, will partner Chilton next year.

The team hope to have taken delivery of the cars for Chilton to have his first drive in December, ahead of a comprehensive test programme in the following months, which will include trips to circuits in France and Spain. The youngster has competed in the T-car series this year, finishing 3rd overall, after being forced to miss the final three rounds, up until which point he had led the championship standings. Over the course of the winter he will take up a drive in the Vento VR6 winter series, as well as a GT Lite drive.

Chilton's manager, Andy Constable, said, "It is a big step for Tom, and he will have to work hard. He will have a lot of opportunities to drive the car over the winter though, and we are confident he will do well. It's difficult to predict how successful he will be, but we have to be aiming to be competitive with the top 6 in the class."

"Being young, Tom hasn't had the chance to pick up bad habits in his driving, and he's permanently on a learning curve. He will be partnered by an experienced driver, and this will undoubtedly help. We are also very happy to be with Barwell, and to be able to work with Mark Lemmer. Very few other teams would be able to offer the same level of expertise."

Barwell Motorsport hope to be able to confirm their driver line-up by the end of the year, and will be looking to carry out extensive development on the car in the period leading up to the start of the 2002 season. Team boss, Mark Lemmer, said, "We are absolutely delighted about our graduation to the highest level of British Motorsport, and have put together an incredibly exciting package".