Joey Foster gets LMP3 seat for Silverstone LMP3 opener

The 32-year-old Briton will contest the maiden race for the new LMP3 prototype category aboard a Ginetta-Nissan entered by Lanan Racing, which has given him his first opportunity at international level since breaking his back for a second time in 2011.

Foster, who will share the car with Alex Craven and Charlie Hollings, is confirmed for the season opener and could remain with Lanan for the five-race series.

"I do see it as a bit of a comeback because this is the first high-profile race I have done for quite a while," said Foster, who has raced Formula Ford 1600s at club level over the past three seasons.

"I did question whether I would race again, but I never said that I wouldn't, so it was just a question of when I would race a proper car again."

Lanan boss Graham Johnson explained that he was working with Foster, who coaches the team's Formula 4 Championship drivers, to keep him in the car for the remainder of the year.

"Joey was able to come up with some budget, but this is also a bit of a thank you for helping us win the F4 title for the past two years," he told AUTOSPORT.

"We'd like to keep him in the car, but that all depends on sponsorship."

Former MSV Formula 3 Cup driver Craven is confirmed for the season, while GT regular Hollings' drive is a one-off.

Foster broke his back for a second time in an accident at the wheel of an WFR Group CN car at Spa in 2011, five years after suffering spinal injuries competing in the German Formula 3 Cup at Lausitz.

Five examples of the Ginetta LMP3, which was given a shakedown at the official ELMS test at Paul Ricard at the beginning of last week, are entered for Silverstone.

Rollcentre Racing, which had been planning to end a six-year absence from the prototype ranks, will not take up its LMP3 entry at Silverstone, but is still working to join the series.