THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS.

.British racing driver Nick Padmore and team mate Jean-Lou Rihon will be heading to Spain this weekend for the curtain raiser on the French V de V Championship at Jarama.

The 4 hour race which takes place at Circuito Permanente del Jarama, situated in the heart of Spain at Madrid, has played host to no fewer than nine Grand Prix and the duo cannot wait to get back behind the reigns of the Norma UK outfit's M20F.

"I've never been to Jarama before so this will be a new experience", admitted Padmore. "However, the team have provided some useful data from last year so we won't be starting from scratch and I've been training hard throughout the winter and feel fitter than ever.

"Norma UK are a tremendous team to work with so I'm looking forward to the start of a fresh season with them and Jean-Lou which, of course, we all hope to be successful".

Padmore put his first touch on his 2009 season with a superb 3rd place finish at a sunny Brands Hatch yesterday.

He entered his privately-owned BMW E30 in the Production BMW Championship and was the centre of attention in a six-car dice for the lead. Padmore eventually stole the last available step of the podium on the last corner of the last lap and was more than happy with his maiden voyage in the ultra-competitive series.

"That was so much fun; loved it!", grinned a buoyant Padmore. "It's completely different to racing in V de V as these races are only 15 minutes long so there's no time to relax - you have to be 'on it' as soon as you leave the grid".

The NPR (Nick Padmore Racing) BMW is available to hire for trackdays as well as the remaining 5 double-header rounds of the 2009 GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship.