Neate to race for WSR in 2010

WSR, which ran Colin Turkington to last year's drivers' title has been in talks with Neate for over a year, but was unable to put together a deal before now while the 35-year-old Briton recovered from heavy injuries sustained in the 2008 Silverstone 24 Hours.

"We have known Andy for several years and were planning to run him in 2009, however due to his unfortunate accident in a Britcar event at the end of 2008, we were unable to," said team principal Dick Bennetts.

"We are now very pleased to see that he's made a remarkable recovery and is now ready to step up to the BTCC, which is the biggest and best motorsport championship in the UK.

"Andy has watched Colin progress from Ford Fiesta champion to become the 2009 BTCC champion with WSR, so as a former Fiesta champion, he has set his goal to try and emulate Colin's success."

Neate, who scored a BTCC point in a Daniels Motorsport Vauxhall Astra in 2005, tested for WSR at Brands Hatch before Christmas and again at Thruxton last week.

He is mindful of the challenge ahead, but is confident that he can carve out a long-term future in touring cars.

"It's always been my dream to one day make it to the BTCC with a top team, it's something that I've aspired to do my entire racing career," he said.

"I don't underestimate the level of competition and quality in the BTCC field, and acknowledge I've got a huge learning curve ahead of me. However, I'm not on the grid to make up the numbers and just for something to one day tell the grandkids.

"I've got one of the plum seats on the grid so I owe Dick Bennetts and the team a huge deal of gratitude for giving me this opportunity. I see this as a multi-year plan and I hope to develop as a touring car driver over the coming season and beyond."