Chilton joins Dynamics

The 22-year-old Briton will replace two-time series champion Matt Neal in the team, after the latter took Chilton's Vauxhall seat for 2008, and will partner regular pilot Gordon Shedden in the outfit, which will again run self-built Honda Civics.

And the six-time race-winner believes he will be a major championship contender.

Chilton said: "I reckon the Honda Civic will be the fastest car on the grid next year. I go where I think I can win, so I'm really excited. I think the Civic will be better suited to my driving style than the [Vauxhall] Vectra and this is the best drive that I could be in for the 2008 season, full stop."

''This will be my seventh year in the BTCC, I've won races before and shown I can run at the front and now want to win the title. This is my chance to do that.''

Chilton would appear to start on the back foot compared to Shedden, as he could only manage ninth in last year's championship compared to third, and has to learn a new car as well.

Team boss Steve Neal, Matt's father, said that he thinks his new pair will be the standout drivers next year, and is keen for the pair to battle out on the track for race wins.

Neal said: "I believe that the fight for overall honours in 2008 will be between our two drivers. May the best man win."