Michael Epps says he is considering his options for the 2018 season after sampling TCR-spec machinery for the first time, but would prefer to remain on the BTCC grid for a third straight year.

Epps finished 18th in the BTCC standings this year with Team HARD, taking a best finish of fifth in the final race of the year at the wheel of a Volkswagen CC.

The 25-year-old has since tested Brisky Racing’s Volkswagen Golf TCR car at Snetterton, but insisted that his preferred option would be a third year in the BTCC – despite some reservations about regulations changes that have been introduced by the series for 2018.

“My heart lies with the BTCC,” he said. “It’s been a great couple years of racing despite struggling for results at points. It’s the most popular series in the UK, it has practically unbeatable exposure and coverage. It’s a dream come true to be part of and is full of awesome fans, drama and excitement.

“I worry that some of the new rules introduced within the BTCC may exaggerate some problems. The field is very close and there is always going to be inevitable contact. It’s obviously a hard job being a steward in this series and raising the penalty stakes is going to make decisions more difficult and more likely to be protested against.

“I respect their ideas and it could settle things down, we will see, but it also raises the risk of having your championship badly affected in the stewards room and that is always a bit of a put off for drivers and teams. Political stories of bans and result changes don’t do much good for anyone.

“I want to continue in BTCC, but whatever I do I need to get up the front end. The last two years have been challenging, I’ve had some great results at points but I need a stronger package around me in 2018 and that’s what I’m currently working towards.”

Should Epps be unable to secure a deal to continue in the BTCC, he admitted that the new TCR UK series could be an option if the commercial package was right for his sponsors.

“Testing the car at Snetterton, it was just as good overall to drive for me as a BTCC car; it’s a different kind of the same thing really,” he said. “Maybe it’s a bit easier to drive and car setup is simpler. It felt sophisticated, modern, very well put together, and to me seems just as quick on track.

“The Golf sounded great to me. There’s a certain buzz about driving a BTCC car that maybe it lacks, but the difference in budget would soon sort my view on that. Commercial coverage is what will matter to some drivers and teams and that takes time.”