FIESTA racer John Batchelor has clinched a deal to drive in one of Britain's top one-make saloon car championships next year.

Batchelor, who is currently second in the Super Road Saloon series, will compete in the Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec championship with Essex-based Cleland Motorsport.

"The call just came out of the blue from team owner Malcolm Cleland. I was gobsmacked," said Batchelor, who lives in Blackburn.

"He runs a couple of cars in the UK Coupe series, which runs at the same meetings as ours, so I guess he's seen me in action.

"It's every racing driver's dream to be offered a drive like this. I always wanted to race at the highest level, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly.

"And by signing the deal this far ahead, we will be able to prepare and test the car well in advance of the new season."

And Batchelor has an added incentive to do well.

He's been offered the chance to do a test session in a touring car - if he finishes in the top six at the end of the championship.

"I don't think I'll need much motivating anyway, but I would love the chance to get behind the wheel of a BTCC car," he added.

One of the British Touring Car Championship support races, the Fiesta series has the reputation of being on the most entertaining - and competitive - on the calendar. Strict controls on the cars, which feature sealed 130bhp, 1600cc engines, encourage close racing.

And Batchelor's new car will be as distinctive as his current one, thanks to a continuation of his sponsorship deal with Blackburn Rovers.

"I'm taking the club with me, and hopefully most of my other backers," he said.

"It is a sponsors dream. The BTCC is the best touring car championship in the world, attracting 30-40,000 spectators at each meeting, and coverage from BBC Grandstand and satellite television."

In the short term, Batchelor has his eyes fixed firmly on capturing the Super Road Saloon title.

He goes into this weekend's penultimate round at Castle Combe, Wiltshire, just 10 points behind leader Terry Flatt.

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