Tasmanias Josh Burdon will return to the European Racecar NASCAR Touring Series in 2013, as the first of a multi-year deal with reigning Open Class Champions, Scorpus Racing.Hobart resident, Burdon, competed in the final two rounds of 2012 season, and after scoring two podiums from four races, has made such a positive impression that he has been offered a full three year management contract with the team.

I discovered with great pleasure a driver (Josh) with a fabulous turn of wheel, with a winner character and velvet glove, said Scorpus Team Manager Alain Veyssiere. In his first race, he started 22nd and finishing 3rd in poor conditions was just incredible, wonderful, and I remember that it was at this moment that I said I will do everything in my power to have Josh come to my team for 2013 full season.

I think that Josh has the level to run on Elite division, but after long and good discussions together, we decided to contest the Open division, to fight for the European title, fight for the Elite Title in 2014 and ready to make the test in NASCAR at Daytona.

The former CAMS Young Gun Academy driver, started last year with only a late call-up into the opening two rounds in the Australian V8 Ute Series, and with no other racing was surprised to receive an offer to race in the final two rounds of the European Racecar Championship, but now finds himself in an envious position of being a professional driver at the age of 20.

I feel very privileged and excited about this opportunity, Said Burdon, when I went over to Spain and France late last year to compete I was quite set back being young and not being able to speak the language it was a massive culture shock especially with the European racing scene being so aggressive and intense.

It completely opened up my mind to what else is out there and in only my very short stint over there I learnt lots about myself so to be offered a three year contract with the team is really exciting for me and good to see work starting to pay off...something dreams are made of.According to Veyssiere, his excitement over Burdons return is well and truly shared by his Scorpus Racing Team.

Josh has integrated very easily into the team bringing his good humour and professionalism and experience even at a young age, fitting perfectly into the Scorpus Racing Spirit, said Veyssiere, when I announced that he was returning at a team dinner on the weekend, the news was met with jubilation and a number of bottles of champagne popped to celebrate.

Taking out the Open Division in the 2012 European Racecar NASCAR Touring Series with Simon Escallier in their debut season, Scorpus Racing will expand to three cars with a truly international field for 2013.

We started the 2012 season with only one car, two cars for the play-off and now for 2013, three cars, said Veyssiere, I worked hard to propose the best international Team with Josh (Australia) and Sailesh (India) to steer the #18 car, a fully Spanish team in #19 including a F1 BMW test driver and 17 year old female, and a Swedish and Frech Driver for #20.

Burdon return to the Series coincides with the Teams newfound backing from Microsoft France, who is giving fans the chance to design the liveries of the Scorpus Racing cars through Forza Motorsport 4 and Xbox.

Its already shaping up to be an exciting season, with names like Microsoft, Forza Motorsport and Xbox getting involved, said Burdon, I reckon its pretty cool that they are offering fans an opportunity to design our cars this season too, I look forward to seeing the designs.Burdon will get his first taste of the 2013 season with an official test day at Nogaro, France on 18th March, before the season kicks off at the same track 31st March1st April 2013.

Now that the contracts are signed, I am 100% focussed on fighting for the Championship, and just counting the days until I am on a plane headed for France for our first official test and Series opener in March.