Fourteen-year-old Thomas Merritt will be at the wheel of a car next season.

The Kings Hill racer has secured a drive in the 2024 BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship.

Following two years of success in karting, including successive championships, Merritt will make the transition to cars.

The season starts at Silverstone on March 16-17, followed by Merritt’s home round at Brands Hatch on April 13-14.

He said: “The move into cars is something I’ve really had my heart set on ever since I can remember, so to be realising this ambition is a dream come true.

“I am looking forward to racing on some of the most well-known circuits in the UK, in a highly competitive championship, alongside some talented drivers.”

Merritt has linked up with the Race Car Consultants team, founded by David Ellsley in 2009.

They’ve won the Fiesta Junior Championship three times in the last five years, finishing second on the other two occasions.

“I’m excited to be driving for Race Car Consultants and am looking forward to maximising every opportunity that I can with them,” said Merritt.

“Their track record in this series speaks for itself and David’s knowledge and experience is second to none.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for all their continued support, especially my dad, Jamie, who is so much more than my dad.

"He’s my mentor, manager, coach and has been key to making this dream a reality.”

Team boss Ellsley said: “I am delighted to welcome Thomas to the team for 2024.

“The move for any young driver from karting into cars is always an exciting one with new skills to develop and new tracks to learn.

“Having been sat next to Thomas for some of his pre-season testing, I am confident he will hit the ground running for round one.

“Our main goal between now and next season is to help him become totally familiar with his car and all the situations he’s likely to encounter across the course of a race weekend.

“Then once race day comes his full focus can be on racing and enjoying driving the car to its very limit.”