Tom Chilton back to BTCC with new works Vauxhall project for 2017

The 31-year-old, who has raced in the World Touring Car Championship in recent years, will line up alongside Clio Cup graduate Senna Proctor.

Chilton has previously driven a factory-backed Astra, when he drove for Triple Eight Race Engineering in 2006 (pictured below), and began his BTCC career at the wheel of an Astra Coupe back in '02.

Chilton raced in the BTCC up until 2011, winning the '10 Independents' Trophy, before switching to the WTCC.

He finished eighth in this year's WTCC driving a Sebastien Loeb Racing Citroen C-Elysee.

"I am delighted to be back in the BTCC," said Chilton.

"I have continued to watch as a fan while racing in World Touring Cars and the itch to get back behind the wheel on British soil has never gone away.

"You can imagine how excited I was when [Power Maxed Racing team principal] Adam Weaver got in touch, plus to get to return in a Vauxhall Astra, a car that I know and love, is a dream.

"I am confident that Power Maxed Racing will be frontrunners and scoring podiums.

"The team is fantastic, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel."

Weaver said that he was hopeful the experience Chilton can bring to the team will help push the new programme forwards, and it would also be a benefit to series newcomer Proctor.

"Tom's experience and work ethic is second to none, he knows what's coming and will be a great role model for Senna as well as a proven race winner," said Weaver.

"We knew last year that we had the ingredients for success but like a cake you can't rush it. But maybe this year we can have our cake and eat it."