Pead's Boulevard run

Pead said: "It's a very good deal for me in view of the possibility of racing for them next season. We'll be able to see how we work together, so it's good preparation for that. It's really too early to say whether or not I will be doing Clios next season, because I'm still looking at British Touring Cars, but we'll have to see how everything pans out for 2005."

Pead's late deal means that he is favourite for the two-event mini-series, which kicks off at Pembrey on Saturday, and he has set his sights on taking his first tin-top title.

Pead said: "I'm going into this looking to win it, and Boulevard contacted me because they wanted to win the series as well. But there are always going to be some outside bets. Hunter and [TCR driver] Tom Onslow-Cole will definitely be very quick, so I'm going to have to fight pretty hard for it."

Volkswagen Racing Cup regular Ray MacDowall will make his return to the category after contesting last year's Winter Series. He will be partnering Onslow-Cole at TCR.