Levy and Alpine join Team CAM Mitsubishi.

James Levy will drive the second of the Team CAM Mitsubishi Carismas in this Sunday's British Touring Car Championship meeting at Oulton Park.

The team have also announced that Alpine Electronics will be providing support for the rest of the season, the deal with the In-Car Entertainment giants also linked to CAM?s (Cranfield Automotive Management) 'Special Edition' vehicle work.

Levy will be joining the team's lead driver Toni Ruokonen, the Finn also in his first year of the championship having won last year?s closely fought National Saloon Cup.

The year started well for Ruokonen. In rounds one and two at Brands Hatch he finished fifth and eighth in the Production Class, the category for which the Carismas are eligible and also proving to be far more competitive than the less supported Touring Class for more modified cars.

However, the fast Finn, from Espoo, was not so fortunate in rounds three and four at Thruxton, when both races saw Ruokonen retire after being forced out following over enthusiastic and subsequently damaging moves by his opponents.

Levy also starts his 2001 campaign as a reigning champion, after winning last year's Fiat Championship. Being his BTCC debut and having not driven the Carisma before, the 23 year old realises that this weekend?s debut at Oulton Park is going to be a case of 'in at the deep end,' but is relishing the prospect of lining-up with the UK's top saloon car drivers:

"For a few years now it's been an ambition of mine to drive in the BTCC," commented Levy. "As this is my first time it's a daunting prospect, but I admit that I'm really excited about it as it's something I've been aiming at for years."

Levy continued: "This weekend is destined to be a real challenge, as not only will it mark my first BTCC race, but it will be my debut in the Carisma as well - in fact the pre-qualifying test session will be the first time I?ve ever driven the car!"

James is the son of team owner Trevor Levy, who is also the Managing Director of CAM, a company which specifically develops and produces performance versions of standard models. He also holds the same position with the teams main sponsors, Auto Image, leather trim specialists to the motor industry.