Rawdon's Sam Tordoff is set to become a motor sport star after stepping up to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for 2013.

The 23-year-old former British karting champion, who finished third in his second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup last year, will team up with Jason Plato - the most successful driver in BTCC history - for the MG KK Momentum Racing team.

Tordoff, who was recognised with the British Racing Drivers’ Club's Rising Star award last year, and Plato will be driving racing versions of the award-winning MG6 GT prepared by Triple 888 Race Engineering - one of the most successful constructors in touring car racing.

Last year Plato was third in the championship in what was supposed to be the team’s ‘learning year’ as MG returned to the track.

Tordoff, who works for his family's Bradford-based car retail business JCT600 and is following in the footsteps of his grandad Jack, who the International Circuit of Ireland Rally in a Porsche 911 in 1973, began racing karts when he was ten.

He worked his way up motorsport ladder via the Renault Clio Cup and the Porsche Carrera Cup, with many wins and podiums under his belt.

He also competed in one round of BTCC racing in 2010 on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Last year Tordoff, who has a B Eng in mechanical engineering and works as a trainee accountant with the JCT600 motor group, won a place at the KX Akademy, where Plato was his key mentor.

Tordoff said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Jason, Ian (Harrison) and the rest of the team and I’m determined to do well – even if it means beating Jason!”

Plato said: “Sam’s a great young talent and brings a lot to our team. He’s a fast learner and it will be great to see him alongside me on the podium – but I’m planning to be on the top step.”

Harrison has the task of managing the MG KX Momentum team, and added: “We’ve got a great team for the 2013 season in Jason and Sam.

“Jason’s obviously got the experience, including a fabulous year with the MG6 GT last year, and Sam’s out to prove himself now he’s won a seat in a top team. It’s going to be a great year of racing.”

MG’s sales & marketing director Guy Jones, said: “It was brilliant for us to get MG back on the track last year and the cars were seen by millions of fans.

"Motor sport is in the DNA of the MG brand and we can’t wait for the 2013 BTCC to get under way.”