Emmerdale TV star Kelvin Fletcher is looking forward to making his Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship debut in the Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Fletcher will partner Hunter Abbott at the independent outfit, and there is much anticipation to see how the drivers will fare as they both embark on their maiden campaign in a front-wheel drive touring car.

“I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the Power Maxed Chevy this weekend,” enthused former Porsche ace Fletcher. “[Team principal] Adam Weaver and the team have all worked very hard to make this drive a reality. The BTCC is the pinnacle of British motor sport and I’m eager to see how I will stack up against some of the greatest drivers of our generation.

“My hectic filming schedule means today will be the first time I’ve taken to the track in the Power Maxed Chevy, and I must admit I am itching to get going!”

“I’m looking forward to my first race meeting in a front-wheel drive touring car,” echoed Abbott, who has raced a rear-wheel drive Audi for the past two years. “I had a good afternoon at the Season Launch test and a decent test day despite suffering a little battle damage. I’m still getting used to front-wheel drive, but the car feels good and it won’t take me long to adapt.”