Aaron Steele to contest 2014 BTCC with new RGM squad

The 2008 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award finalist will race in two rounds of the European Touring Car Championship this season ahead of his BTCC campaign.

The 24-year-old will drive a Vuik Racing Mercedes C200 in the Italian and Czech ETCC rounds, then join new squad RGM Motorsport for his 2014 British campaign.

The BTCC machine he will race will not be announced until September but the team has confirmed it will be an NGTC car.

"I know being part of the debut season for the RGM Motorsport team in the BTCC could provide some unique challenges, but I also know it will provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate what I can do as a racer," said Steele, who struggled to raise the budget to move beyond British Formula 3.

"There have been some tough weekends and tough years, but every time I have taken to the track I have learned something and taken a step forward.

"I believe the 2014 season will see me develop even further as a racer, and I will take my experience into the 2014 season, where I will show what I can really do."

RGM has been set up by Richard Taylor, Mark Salter and Brendan Beeken, with personnel who have experience in motorsport ranging from karting to Renault Clios and Ginettas. It will be based in Peterborough.

Taylor said: "The team has recognised how much Aaron has achieved in his career against the odds, and, like Aaron, we are positive and excited for the 2014 season.

"The whole team is fired up, and cannot wait to hit the track with Aaron Steele."