Double Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Masters Cup’ Champion Simon Belcher will graduate into the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship next year after today, Monday, 18th November, finalising a deal to race a Speedworks Motorsport-built Toyota Avensis under the ‘Handy Motorsport’ banner.

Retaining key backing for his step-up into the BTCC from long term partner KÄRCHER, the global leader in the sphere of professional and consumer high-pressure cleaning products, the back-to-back Masters Cup winner in Renault Clios is relishing the prospect of his maiden run at the wheel of his 2.0-litre turbo-charged Toyota. Handy Motorsport will take delivery of the car in early December.

“I am absolutely delighted to have made it to the pinnacle of British motorsport in the BTCC, it really is a dream come true”, said an elated Belcher, “We have been working on this deal for many months now and I am delighted to be part of the Handy Motorsport and Speedworks team for 2014.

“Due to the huge success of the NGTC regulations in the BTCC, which have created a level playing field between teams of all sizes, it’s now or never to make the move into the championship. The entry will be full in 2014 and beyond so it will become increasingly hard going forward to obtain a place on the coveted grid.”

Belcher added: “I am so excited to make it to this level, nearly 20 million TV viewers and approaching 400,000 trackside spectators makes the BTCC the only place to be. Alan Gow [BTCC Series Director] and the whole TOCA team have been very supportive of our plans and I can’t wait to get on track.

“It’s fantastic to have the continued support from KÄRCHER for our move into touring cars, we have worked together on a very successful program now for many years and I am incredibly proud to be an ambassador for such a quality brand.”