Ginetta Supercup driver Carl Boardley in 2019 BTCC with Team Hard

Boardley, a four-time National Hot Rod World Final winner, will join team returnees Mike Bushell and Bobby Thompson in the squad's VW CCs.

A fourth driver will be announced in due course.

The Ipswich racer, who is also a constructor of National Hot Rod machines, was runner up in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup this year with six victories in a Team Hard-run car.

He contested a one-off round of the British Touring Car Championship with the squad to get a taster for the category at Knockhill in August.

Boardley took a best finish of 23rd in the final race of the weekend in Scotland, but the car was later excluded from the meeting for a technical infringement.

He has conducted several tests for the team and has now committed for the full 30-race campaign, which kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 7.

Boardley said: "After running with the team in Supercup I have got to know all of the squad really well.

"I feel comfortable in the surroundings and believe we have a good fit together.

"Knockhill gave me a real taste of what the championship is all about and made me hungry for a lot, lot more.

"I am under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead as this championship is the pinnacle but I'm super excited to get started and aim to hit the ground running at Brands Hatch."

Hard principal Tony Gilham said he was pleased to be able to offer graduation to one of the team's drivers.

"Carl not only brings a wealth of experience and pace, but has a very good understanding of the car in terms of set-up and performance," said Gilham.

"He will bring the necessary on track qualities we are looking for as well as add a massive amount off track with our whole set up and all new infrastructure we now have in place.

"We are on exactly the same page as each other when it comes to what we expect as a team this year and our goals we have set in the championship for the year ahead."