New Malden's Tom Onslow-Cole has been confirmed as one of 20 drivers in the final selection process of the new MSA British Race Elite programme, writes Cathy Metcalfe.
The 19-year-old Team RAC British Touring Car Championship driver and his rivals - including Claygate's Sam Bird and West Ewell's Duncan Tappy - will undergo an interview at MSA next Thursday.
They will be aiming to be among the first six members of the Race Elite programme.
Onslow-Cole has impressed the Eurocup Mégane Trophy teams with an outstanding performance in testing, his prize for winning the 2006 Elf Renault Clio Cup.
He drove the Mégane Trophy race at Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro, France, last week, joining Clio Cup champions from Spain and Holland.
Although hailstones made visibility poor, Onslow-Cole acclimatised well during his opening 10-lap stint.
After the lunch break, he beat the time set by Mike Verschuur, who will compete in the 2007 Mégane Trophy championship, lapping the 2.26-mile circuit in one minute 47.470 seconds (75.67mph).
His BTCC campaign gets under way at Brands Hatch this weekend.
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