Nic Hamilton will race for AmD Tuning in the 2015 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), with the 22-year-old competing in the Audi S3 raced by Robb Holland in 2014.
Hamilton, who lives with the neurological condition Cerebral Palsy, will become the first-ever disabled driver to enter the BTCC. As a result, he will not start the season with the team but rather will make his début as Croft in June for the fifth round of the season.
Hamilton will go on to compete at Snetterton, Rockingham, Silverstone and the Brands Hatch season finale.
“I am incredibly excited to be racing in the BTCC with AmD Tuning this year,” said Hamilton, the brother of reigning Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton. “The BTCC is the top national motorsport series here in the UK and having the opportunity to race at that level is the biggest challenge I’ve taken on in my career to date.
“I’m coming into the Championship with a lot to learn and my expectations are to develop as a driver as my programme across the season progresses.
“Whilst I’m aiming to improve as a driver, I’m also hoping to inspire others to strive for their own personal goals, whatever their situation in life. Anyone can ‘Exceed Expectations’ in one way or another and I hope to prove that when I race alongside, not just able-bodied drivers, but the best Touring Car drivers in the UK.
“This is a very special moment for me that would not have been possible without the amazing support from my partners Monster Energy, JET and Whisper Films. I cannot wait to get back in the car and go racing.”
The news means that Essex-based AmD Tuning will step up to become a two-car team for the first time in their BTCC history, with Hamilton competing alongside Mike Bushell in the team’s Ford Focus ST.
“We are pleased to announce that Nicolas has joined the AmD Tuning team,” said Team Principal Shaun Hollamby. “The BTCC is a fiercely competitive series with hard wheel-to-wheel racing action on track and we have developed Nicolas’s 2015 programme to ensure he enters the Championship with a level of preparation.
“We have a number of test sessions over the coming months, which will enable Nicolas to acclimatise to the car. Having observed Nicolas racing in the Renault Clio Cup and the ETCC, we know he is quick learner and a strong competitor, and we’re looking forward to working with him this season.”
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow confirmed that the entry for Hamilton has been agreed on a ‘guest’ basis and that the team do not have a TBL.
“I’m pleased to provide the AmD/Nicolas Hamilton entry with ‘guest’ status to compete at five BTCC events,” said Gow. “Although the entry does not hold a TBL (TOCA BTCC Licence) this season and is thus also not eligible for points in the championship, it will provide Nicolas with invaluable experience through competing at the highest level of British motorsport and will hopefully serve as an inspiration to others.”