Pictured: Matt Hamilton. Click to open hi-resolution version

NEWS RELEASE: 11 MARCH 2014

BTCC RACER HAMILTON JOINS VW CUP GRID WITH THM RACING

Former BTCC racer Matt Hamilton is to contest the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup in 2014, it is confirmed today. The Hertfordshire 24-year-old will race a Golf GTI prepared by THM Racing, maintaining a link with the squad and its technical director Trevor Humphrey which dates back to Matt’s 2009 British Touring Car debut.

Says Matt: “I am really excited to be back behind the wheel, it’s been fantastic to see how the team has developed over the last 18 months, and now it’s finally my time to get to work on the track. I am incredibly grateful for the faith that Trevor has shown in me ever since our efforts in the BTCC, and to the THM Racing team for giving me this opportunity to race in the championship this season.

“The championship is looking to be a great one from the outset, and one that will be highly competitive. There is certainly nothing better than racing in a competitive field and it brings out the best in any driver. There are some drivers I rate highly in the series, not to mention a couple of past champions in the field. We will certainly have to hit the ground running in order to mount a serious challenge for the title and I’m looking forward to the task, repaying the faith the team have shown in me over the years with some solid results throughout the year.”

After a successful schoolboy career racing karts – including a fourth-place finish in the Super 1 National Cadet Championship in 2002 – Hamilton won a Formula BMW Scholarship to contest a full season of single-seater racing in 2006. He won races in Formula Palmer Audi in 2007 before a leg-breaking accident halted his season; following his recovery he went on to finish sixth in British Formula Ford in 2008. Hamilton tackled the BTCC between 2009 and 2011 with a TH Motorsport Honda Civic before moving on to sports car success in the Britcar series.

THM Racing director Steve Parkinson said: “There was absolutely no doubt as to who we wanted to drive for us; the whole team is really excited now we have been able to announce this news. Matt’s driving and technical ability is outstanding and his determination in testing so far has been fantastic.”

Added Trevor Humphrey: “Having worked with Matt for a number of years, I know how fast he is. Seeing him grow and develop as a driver has been great to watch and I’m so pleased we have him on board. We are looking forward to our upcoming test programme and the start of the season at Oulton Park in April.”

Hamilton’s first competitive outing in the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup comes at Oulton Park on Easter Monday (21 Apr), where the championship begins its season-long supporting role to the British GT Championship.