AS BUTLER JOINS WATKINS & FIELD

The 20Ten Racing team will expand to three cars for Silverstone’s rounds of the Renault UK Clio Cup this weekend (Sat 26/Sun 27 Sept) after signing rapid former MG and Clio Cup Series racer Tom Butler (Derby).

 Butler, aged 21, will join 17-year-old Sam Watkins (Swansea), also making his Clio Cup debut at Silverstone, and the team’s regular driver Graham Field (Southwell) in 20Ten’s line-up. It’s a team that Butler knows well having raced one of its cars in the club-level Clio Cup Series in 2014.

 He commented: “For 2015 we took the decision to sit out most of the season and concentrate on testing the latest fourth generation UK Clio Cup race car with 20Ten before coming in for the final rounds at Silverstone and Brands Hatch – and here we are!

“I have a good relationship with the people at 20Ten so, while I’m not expecting too much straight away, I’d hope I can enjoy some battles with some of the other new drivers who are coming in for the final two events. I’m very much treating Silverstone and Brands Hatch as a learning experience ahead of a full-season in 2016.”

20Ten Team Principal Simon Hunt said: “It’s great to see Tom progressing to our top team in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Here at 20Ten we’ve had race wins and podium finishes and this time last year were very much in with a chance of the Clio Cup crown so know what it takes to nurture young drivers to get to that level – we very much look forward to seeing how far we can take both Tom and Sam in the future.”

Will Fewkes, Renaultsport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager, added: “It’s very nice to see Tom making his Renault UK Clio Cup debut as I know it’s something he has aspired to for some time. He will certainly feel right at home with 20Ten and I’m very pleased as well to see the team back up to three cars – this bodes well for their future and again underlines the how healthy the championship is looking for 2016.”