NORTH-EAST driver Harry Vaulkhard will spearhead the challenge of a new team in next season's British Touring Car Championship.

Tempus Sport Ltd will field two Chevrolet Lacettis in the HiQ MSA sponsored championship as the highlight of an ambitious expansion programme in 2009.

Newcastle-born Harry Vaulkhard, 23, will drive one car, with a second driver still to be announced.

The cars will be the latest specification 2008 works Chevrolet Lacettis, supplied by Ray Mallock Ltd, who produce the cars for Chevrolet's FIA World Touring Car Championship campaign.

RML will provide ongoing support for Tempus Sport, who will move to new premises in Milton Keynes for their 2009 activities, which include TOCA Renault and BARC Renault programmes in addition to contesting the BTCC.

Experienced motor sport professional Richard Coleman will head up Tempus Sport's racing activities and leads a team which has considerable touring car and single-seater experience.

The team take delivery of its first car before Christmas, with the second planned for the New Year, when the hardware returns for the last WTCC race in Macau.

A shakedown is planned before Christmas, ahead of an extensive European warm climate test programme in early 2009.

Vaulkhard, who last season drove for Robertshaw Racing before they pulled out, said: "I think the odds were against me in 2008, but I'm confident that 2009 will be a far better season.

"Although the Tempus Sport name is not well known, the personnel have a lot of experience and I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the new car.

"Having a deal put together so early in the day means I can focus on my racing and hit the ground running with an extensive test programme. If I get a run in the car before the end of the year it will be a perfect Christmas present."

Richard Coleman, Tempus Sport Team Director said: "This is a serious campaign with substantial backing.

"We have the latest specification Chevrolet Lacettis, and everyone has seen how strong they were on the world stage this year. We have good support from RML and a driver with a lot of potential in Harry Vaulkhard.

"We are speaking to drivers with BTCC race-winning experience for our second car and we are confident we have a package with race-winning potential."

Mark Busfield, RML Chevrolet Project Manager, said: "It's excellent news for RML to continue an ongoing involvement with Harry Vaulkhard, through Richard Coleman at Tempus.

"Their geographical location in Milton Keynes enables us to give them good support in their first year of the BTCC, likewise we can help fast track them with set up information as they plan to share some European winter test venues with us.

"After an excellent season this year in the WTCC the Lacetti has been one of the most competitive cars, and at its last event in Macau it was on pole position and won both races, so Tempus have a very competitive package for their 2009 BTCC campaign."