NEWPORT’S Rory Collingbourne has re-signed with multiple race-winning outfit Team Cooksport for the 2016 Renault Clio Cup UK.

The-18 year-old drives for the team once more after an impressive debut campaign last year, at the end of which he claimed sixth place overall and took a best finish of fourth.

All 18 events in this season’s Clio Cup will again run on the high-profile British Touring Car Championship programme, resulting in live television coverage and bumper trackside crowds.

The series is set to be even more hotly contested than in the past with former champion Mike Bushell, Ant Whorton-Eales, Paul Rivett and Senna Proctor contenders for the title.

Collingbourne has already begun a comprehensive pre-season testing schedule, clocking miles at circuits such as Oulton Park and Thruxton.

And with a year of experience under his belt, both in terms of race craft and car setup, the teenager is set to play a part in deciding the outcome of the championship this time around.

“We’ve got through a lot of testing at Oulton Park and Thruxton and it’s gone like a dream,” said Collingbourne, whose team is managed by touring car ace Josh Cook.

“Going back to those circuits after last year when I was very new to it all gave us a chance to assess what steps forward we’ve made, and it’s really noticeable already.

“It feels great to be back in the car and working with the Cooksport team again – and Josh’s input is invaluable as ever.

“I’m really happy about the deal we’ve been able to put together for 2016 and I’m confident we can come out fighting right at the sharp end at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch in early April.”

Cook believes Collingbourne is already showing signs of being ahead of the standard development path for drivers at this level.

He has also pointed to the importance of continuity within motorsport and believes that staying with Team Cooksport is only set to improve Collingbourne's chances of success this year.

“Rory showed some real flashes of speed in 2015 and his rate of progress was very impressive,” he said.

“It took me three years to finish runner-up in the UK Clio Cup, so I can call on my experience to gauge what sort of level Rory is at going into his second season, and I’m convinced he’s now ready to start pushing for podium results and even wins.”

The Renault Clio Cup UK, regarded as the primary feeder series for those aspiring to move on to the British Touring Car Championship or British GT Championship, is billed as a two or three-year programme due to its development of a drivers’ skills in multiple areas.

Collingbourne will continue pre-season testing before heading to Rockingham on March 23 for the official season launch with his sponsors, including Newport Auctions, Add Energy and Europa Group.