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Team Hard have announced that Michael Epps will graduate to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for 2016, running in the teams third car.

Epps is no stranger to the team having impressed in his outings for the team last season in the Volkswagen Racing Cup, and the BTCC represents the next step for the quick young racer.

Speaking about joining Jake Hill and Chris Smilley on the grid, he said:“It’s probably the most exciting time in my career so far, I could only really dream of a BTCC seat at one point in my career and now it’s really happening, I’m struggling to take it in!”

Last year Epps picked up multiple wins and podiums in the VW Cup. Moving up to BTCC with the team is an exciting prospect for

He added: “I think myself and my two teammates can look forward to a challenging season with much to learn. The aim is obviously to get as high up as possible, and with the current situation of cars changing packages and lots of money being spent, you just never know. I’m optimistic and hoping to bring home points.

“There was a prospect of driving in BTCC from the very beginning of my relationship with Team HARD. and RCIB, but over the winter we have come closer and closer to actually being able to make a deal work. The opportunity presented itself and we had to grab it and work it into this. And now, here we are and I can’t wait to go blasting up to Paddock Hill on that first weekend at Brands!”

Team boss Tony Gilham and the team are working hard to bring young talent into the sport. Gilham said: “We have chosen to support young up and comping drivers once again. We’re rewriting the rule book and focusing on skill rather than just looking for drivers with big budgets.

“Mike is another very exciting prospect and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the Avensis. Having seen his pace last year, we are confident that he will have a very promising debut year. This is just the start of a long term plan for the team as we now look to build a solid platform on which to build on moving forwards.”

 This has all come about thanks to continued support from existing partners, such as RCIB Insurance and the new partners that have come on board for the 2016 season.

Epps added: “I want to express a huge thanks to RCIB for being behind this campaign, not forgetting Panda Racing, Adidas, Simply Race and Anytime Fitness. I’m grateful to no end for the ongoing support and this year is the time to really pay it back.”