Team Hard completes 2016 BTCC line-up with VW Cup graduate Epps
VW Cup graduate Michael Epps will make his debut in the British Touring Car Championship this season at the wheel of the third Team Hard Toyota Avensis
The 24-year-old inked a deal this week and is scheduled to have his first test with the squad at the BTCC's media day at Donington Park on Tuesday next week.
The tin-top convert, who has previously raced in Formula Vee, BARC Formula Renault and USF2000, will join Jake Hill and Mini Challenge racer Chris Smiley.
Epps said: "It's probably the most exciting time in my career so far. I could only really dream of a BTCC seat at one point in my career and now it's really happening I'm struggling to take it in.
"The aim is obviously to get as high up the order as possible, and with the current situation of cars changing packages [to the new RML control parts] and lots of money being spent, you just never know.
"I'm hoping to bring home points."
Team Hard boss Tony Gilham said that the squad had signed the three drivers it had - all under the age of 24 - because it was looking to the future.
"We're rewriting the rule book and focusing on skill rather than just looking for drivers with big budgets," said Gilham.
"Having seen his pace last year, we are confident that he will have a very promising debut year."
2016 BTCC LINE-UP
Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R: Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal, Andy Neate
Team BMR Subaru Levorg: Jason Plato, Colin Turkington, Warren Scott, James Cole
WSR BMW 125i Sport: Jack Goff, Sam Tordoff, Rob Collard
Motorbase Performance Ford Focus ST: Andrew Jordan, Mat Jackson
Triple Eight Racing MG6: Josh Cook, Ashley Sutton
Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R: Jeff Smith, Martin Depper
Speedworks Motorsport: Tom Ingram (Toyota), Matt Simpson (Honda)
Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze: Hunter Abbott, TBA
Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis: Rob Austin
Ciceley Racing Mercedes A-Class: Adam Morgan
Laser Tools Racing Mercedes A-Class: Aiden Moffat
Welch Motorsport Proton Gen-2: Dan Welch
Team Parker Racing Ford Focus ST: Alex Martin
Team Hard Toyota Avensis: Chris Smiley, Jake Hill, Michael Epps
Maximum Motorsport Ford Focus ST: Stewart Lines
AmD Tuning Audi S3: Ollie Jackson
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