Aron Smith will remain on the British Touring Car Championship grid after finalising a last-minute deal, alongside Mark Howard, with newcomers Team BK✤R for the 2016 season.

Smith's futureꦚ in the series had been placed under serious doubt following an unceremonious end to last season but the Irishman has since clinched a two-year contract extension with Team BMR - BKR's partner ꦛin operations.

The 26-year old will contest the new campaign in familiar machinery with BKR -🅘 running in the BTCC for the first time - fielding a pair of Volkswagen CC's.

Smith's new team mate for 2016 is also no stranger to the ♏TOCA package having raced in the Renault Clio Cup for the p♎ast two season's.

Team BKR had planned on embarking on the BTCC's development B-TEC championship but that endeavour failed to materialise after the serie🐼s was postponed at the last minute.

This afternoon will ♈mark BKR's first official running in the championship, with testing getting underway at 1pm.