Tom Onslow-Cole is the reigning Renault Clio Cup champion. His dominant performance in that established BTCC feeder series was enough to alert Team RAC to his talent, who have snapped him up for their second season in the series.

“I’m really excited to be involved in it all”, said Onslow-Cole. “Maybe a little bit nervous, but I guess that’s natural. All the guys I’ve met have been really welcoming, so I’m looking forward to a good year.”

“It’s a big step. I’m not going to lie about it. It is a huge step for me. It has taken some getting used to in testing. Not necessarily just the car, but everything around it. But I’m really excited by it all, and I think I’ll thrive on it, hopefully.”

The BMW 320si E90 that Onslow-Cole will drive this year is new to him, new to the West Surrey Racing team and new to the BTCC. But it has already won races in the World Touring Car Championship. However, the team were still using a borrowed car at the BTCC’s media launch at Rockingham, leaving less than two weeks to get their own runners ready. But the signs are still good.

“It’s been really promising. We’re fairly confident within the team. We’ve had a few good runs. We’ve got to know the car in different conditions and we’ve learnt a lot about it.”

Onslow-Cole doesn’t believe that the Rockingham test gave away too much about who’s going to be quick at Brands Hatch at the opening round: “I don’t think it’s a true picture of what’s going to be going on. I think Brands will be the first time we really get to see how everyone fairs against each other.”

At 19, the Clio champion is the younger element of a very young line-up. However, his teammate Colin Turkington is no newcomer to the BTCC and Onslow-Cole will be hoping to tap into this source of knowledge.

“Colin’s extremely quick and I’m glad to be working with him. When we come out of the cars and download the data, I can kind of take a look and also see from him what he’s doing. Hopefully I’ll be nipping at his heels and we’ll be pushing each other forward.”

A reigning champion in a new car, in a new series…so just what are his hoped for the season?

“If I can steal a few podiums in the first half of the year and then, if I can take some wins in the second half I’ll be ecstatic. I’d be really pleased with that. How realistic that is, I’m not sure. Team RAC are doing a great job. The car is an excellent package and I feel confident in myself, so it’s looking good.”