New Malden's Tom Onslow-Cole has completed a successful first test with Vauxhall in preparation for his assault on the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, which kicks off next month.

The 20 year-old, who made a stunning debut in the BTCC last season, resulting in victory and three additional podiums, took the wheel of his Vauxhall Vectra at Almeria in Southern Spain alongside experienced team-mates Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal.

Onslow-Cole was delighted to be reunited with a front-wheel-drive car following his season in a RWD BMW after a hugely successful 2006 in the Clio Cup that netted him the title.

Taking advantage of the mild weather in Spain, he gained good knowledge about his new mount and, on his first visit to the circuit, was impressively quick first time out.

"It was a completely new experience for me and it took most of the first day to get comfortable with the car," Onslow-Cole said.

"The Vauxhall Vectra is a totally different animal to what I am used to and, of course, a lot bigger than the last FWD car I raced.

"It's quite forgiving though and is a lot of fun to drive; now it's a case of putting it all together and, hopefully, we can continue to improve.

"There is definitely more time to come in both myself and the car and I can't wait for the season to start."

The 2008 racing season kicks off at Onslow-Cole's home track of Brands Hatch at the end of March.

The full 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship dates are: Brands Hatch March 30, Rockingham April 13, Donington Park May 4, Thruxton May 18, Croft June 1, Snetterton July 13, Oulton Park July 27, Knockhill August 17, Silverstone August 31 and Brands Hatch Septemeber 21.

For those unable to attend the events, television viewers will be able to enjoy some 46 hours of live air time on ITV4, plus a further 10 hours of highlights, which will be broadcast on the weekend following each event in hour-long programmes.

In addition, ITV1 will also broadcast a one-hour highlights programme on the Monday night after each event, while its sister digital station Men & Motors will schedule the same programme during that week.

Eight of the 10 rounds will be shown live on ITV4 from 12.30-5.30pm, with the remaining two receiving three hours of coverage apiece. All three BTCC races on the day will be broadcast in their entirety.