Tom Ovenden will make his British Touring Car Championship debut in 2027 with the EXCELR8-run Team VERTU, stepping up after retaining the MINI CHALLENGE JCW title.
He will drive a Hyundai i30 Fastback N alongside Tom Ingram in the Vertu-backed entries. Noah Young is also confirmed in the four-car operation, with the fourth driver yet to be named, the championship said.
Ovenden was the team reserve and development driver in 2026 and has already driven its Hyundai. He is due to take part in a pre-season testing programme before the campaign begins at Donington Park in April.
The former British Junior Rallycross champion moved to circuit racing with EXCELR8 in 2021. He won the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy in 2023, then took the JCW title in 2025 and defended it by one point at Brands Hatch this year.