TALENTED teenager Tom Boardman will create motorsport history when he makes his British Touring Car Championship debut next week.

Aged 17 years and 183 days, he will become the youngest driver ever to compete in Britain's premier motor racing series.

Lancashire-based Boardman is competing this year in the all-new BTC Production category of the BTCC in a Peugeot 306 GTi6.

Following a handful of races in last year's National Saloon Championship, the youngster hopes to impress this season with a view to stepping up to the main BTC Touring class with a manufacturer.

Despite being the youngest driver on the grid, Boardman won't be feeling intimidated when the season starts at Brands Hatch, Kent, on Monday, April16.

He knows the BTCC will be his toughest challenge yet, but he aims to make the most of it.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It will be exciting racing with all the top drivers in touring cars and I'm sure I'll learn a lot from them, " said Boardman.

It's good for my career to race against more experienced people because my driving can only get better through watching them.

"My aim is to become a professional touring car driver. I'll be trying to do the best possible job I can this year and then see what happens. It's not going to be easy but I'm determined to make it."

Despite his tender age Boardman, of Forton, near Lancaster, has nearly seven years of experience behind the racing wheel. He started aged ten in a Mini stock car, then progressed to an Autograss Mini at 14, in which he won the British Championship in Class 1 and the prestigious National Championship for Juniors. His first taste of track action was in 1999 when, aged 15, he won seven out of eight T-Car races.

Boardman - who only passed his road driving test last October, four days after his 17th birthday and without taking a single lesson! - is supported by his father John. As Team Principal of Tom Boardman Racing, he will be on hand at every race this year to help keep his son's feet on the ground.

Says Boardman senior: "I'm extremely proud of what he has achieved so far. I think he's got a natural talent behind the wheel of a car and he's in an excellent position to prove that this year. It will be tough but he's a quick learner and I'm sure he'll surprise a few people once he's got to grips with everything."

BTC Production is the biggest-subscribed class in this year's BTCC, with 23 drivers registered to race. It will have its own stand-alone Sprint Race at every BTCC meeting before combining with the more powerful BTC Touring category cars for the longer Feature Race. The 26-round season finishes in October.