How did you get into the BTCC? 

This is long-winded story but it’s the championship that I always had my heart set on from when I first sat in a kart at the age of twelve. I grew up watching the championship and almost idolising some of the drivers that I now get to rub door handles with. Similar to most drivers, I started off in karting and quickly won the Irish national karting championships before progressing into a European series and eventually up into the feeder series for the BTCC, the Clio Cup. After narrowly missing out on the Clio Cup championship in 2011 I was given the opportunity to move into the BTCC after winning Motorsport Ireland’s Young Driver of the Year. Ever since then I have loved every second of the championship as in my opinion, there is no other series like it. The racing is intense beyond belief and I’m really proud of the fact that I am the only Irishman to win a race in the series in the last thirty years!

What have you been up to over the winter period?

This winter has been unusual in many aspects. Not only due to lockdown life but also in having the time to really focus on my BTCC program. I have been lucky enough to welcome a number of key new partners into my racing program, such as Burnell, who have really made a big difference to the season ahead. Aside from that, I feel as though I have been training flat out to make sure I am in the best position possible come the first race.

You’re making your BTCC return after 4 years away! What are you most excited about?

Just the racing itself! I think like most, I love what the BTCC has to offer. The nitty gritty style of racing where you fight for every inch of tarmac is something that I love and arguably what I missed the most about the championship. Yes, it can offer up frustrations at times, as not every day will go your way, but when it does it is a feeling like no other.

What made you want to re-join the BTCC with Team HARD?

Again, I don’t mind being completely honest here. I spoke to a number of the teams on the grid and not a single one of them impressed me half as much as Team HARD. Factually, they have the latest piece of machinery on the grid and as the process of evolution goes this will be a very fast piece of kit. But aside from the car, it has to be the team that impressed me the most. Every single person within Team HARD is easily as hungry as I am to succeed which is genuinely half the battle. I feel 2021 will be the teams first opportunity to challenge right at the front and I’m really looking forward to being part of this story.

Are you excited to be stepping into the brand new Cupra Leon?

Beyond belief! This will be the first time in my career where I will be a completely brand new car where I even got the choice of having Chassis Number three for example! I have seen the car progress over the last few months and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to see how good of job that the team have done. I really do think that this car will be at the sharp end.