New Malden’s Tom Onslow-Cole says he has not looked back since quitting the British Touring Car Championship in 2013 – and it is not hard to see why.

Hours after his impressive performance to secure second place overall at the Dubai 24 Hour race last week, the 27-year-old jetted to the French Alps to teach motor racing’s next generation of drivers at an FIA academy camp in Chamonix.

Onslow-Cole’s exploits in the Middle East inspired Ram Racing to this week sign him to contest the entire 24 Hour Series this year.

While the former Brooklands College student’s lap times in Dubai, one of the toughest GT endurance races on the circuit, has only seen his stock rise.

“My decision to leave Touring Cars has been the right one,” said Onslow-Cole, who made his debut in the BTCC aged 19-years-old.

“The professional career that has come with the change means I travel the world racing in some pretty cool events at some great circuits.

“Last year wasn’t the greatest season for me in the British GT Championship but the lap times I have been putting in have been noticed elsewhere in the sport, which can only be a good thing.

“The Dubai win was a great way to start the season and really give us something to build on and gives the team a really incentive to contest the whole series.

“If we can do that in one of the toughest races on the circuit it only bodes well for the rest of the year.”

The 24 Hour International Series visits circuits in Italy, the Netherlands, France, Spain and the Czech Republic in 2015.

And Onslow-Cole believes he has the right tools to make a success of his season in the series..

“It’s been a very busy winter season but things are really starting to come good," said the driver, who is eyeing opportunities with World Endurance Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series teams. 

“Ram Racing is one of the most professional and impressive teams I have ever worked with.

"The SLS was new to the team in Dubai, but you wouldn’t have known it – it’s great to have faith in your team and I’m looking forward to racing the full 24 Hour Series season with them.

“The Mercedes sounds quite raw and the controls look simple, but it is actually a very refined machine.

"Having driven most GT3 cars, I’d say it is one of the easiest to jump in and drive but, like with anything, the skill is in finding those final few tenths.

"I was pleased to get to grips with it so quickly in Dubai and, despite taking it easy in my first stint, came away with a front running green lap average.”