Wantage racer, Alastair Rushforth is close to securing the required funds to compete in this season’s Air Asia Renault Clio Cup.

The cup which forms part of the TOCA package supporting the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), is a breeding ground for future BTCC stars.

Rushforth, who has been racing since he was nine, was originally offered two seats in the prestigious BTCC, but after struggling to raise the budget, he has set his sights on the Clio Cup holders Stancombe Vehicle Engineering from Kent.

The 32-year-old also runs a racing team of his own based near Abingdon and will look after six cars this year in events organised by the Town’s MG Car Club.

He said said: “The BTCC offers came out of the blue and I’m happy teams have been looking at what I’m capable of.

“However, the budget is the biggest stumbling block.

“I was then contacted by last year’s Clio Cup winners to see if I was interested in racing for them.

“Racing on the BTCC package is vital to give sponsors maximum exposure as all the races are shown live on ITV4.

“I’ve still got to raise some funding to be on the grid, but, fingers crossed, we’ll be out there.”

The new season starts at Brands Hatch, Kent on April 1.