Smith to remain in BTCC with Team BKR

Aron Smith will remain on the British Touring Car Championship grid after finalising a last-minute deal, alongside Mark Howard, with newcomers Team BKR for the 2016 season.

Smith's future in the series had been placed under serious doubt following an unceremonious end to last season but the Irishman has since clinched a two-year contract extension with Team BMR - BKR's partner in operations.

The 26-year old will contest the new campaign in familiar machinery with BKR - running in the BTCC for the first time - fielding a pair of Volkswagen CC's.

Smith's new team mate for 2016 is also no stranger to the TOCA package having raced in the Renault Clio Cup for the past two season's.

Team BKR had planned on embarking on the BTCC's development B-TEC championship but that endeavour failed to materialise after the series was postponed at the last minute.

This afternoon will mark BKR's first official running in the championship, with testing getting underway at 1pm.