KNUTSFORD driver Tony Hughes is part of a record entry list for the premier UK car racing series this season.

The debutant makes his bow in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch next weekend in the biggest field for two decades.

“It’s a fantastic entry list; the biggest for 20 years,” series director Alan Gow told reporters at the championship’s annual media day at Silverstone on Thursday.

“There are ten different makes and 13 models of car signed up so far which, in what remains a challenging period financially, is quite frankly incredible.

“The BTCC is by far the most-watched form of national motor racing in the UK and for us to continue to reach new heights is terrific news.”

Hughes will pilot a Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyota Avensis built and designed according to new Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) specifications.

The NGTC cars, introduced to cut operating costs by up to a half, will have turbo-charged engines tuned and supplied by series organisers TOCA.

He makes history as one of the first drivers to pioneer the technology that will become compulsory in the championship from 2013.

Gow said: “We wanted the cars to look bigger than what they are now, a bit beefier and better in terms of their performance too.

“There’s no doubt that cars like Tony’s look the part, and they sound great too.”

Ten makes of car representing Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Proton, SEAT, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen will feature on the grid this season.

Together they complete the most varied field seen in the series since 1991.

“We’ve got exactly the mix we wanted,” added Gow.

“I think it’s dangerous to have a field populated solely by manufacturer-backed cars. The independent teams, or those part-backed by the makers, are integral to what we offer.

“Look at the quality of racing we have now.

“The priority is to continue that and make it even better if we can.”

The campaign’s first races will be broadcast live on television from Kent by ITV on April 3.