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British Touring Car squad Team Hard will give Kieran Gallagher his series debut at the Knockhill round later this month.

Gallagher, who currently lies 11th in the Scottish Legends championship, will drive the Vauxhall Insignia previously raced by James Cole and Robb Holland.

The 23-year-old recently raced for Team Hard's Volkswagen Racing Cup squad at Spa and is due to test the Insignia at Brands Hatch this week.

"It's been a dream of mine to race in the BTCC since I went to my first touring car race at Knockhill when I was seven," said Gallagher, who has been racing for just over a year.

"I know the track really well - I've probably done more racing laps there than anyone except Gordon Shedden - but I don't know the car.

"I just want to go out and show I can be competitive. Finishing in the top 15 would be great."

Although the deal is a one-off, Gallagher hopes to end up in the BTCC.

"It depends what happens at Knockhill," he added. "If I do well maybe we'll pick up a sponsor and I can do the VW Cup or BTCC next year.

"Touring cars is where I see myself in the future."

Team boss Tony Gilham said: "He was on our scholarship and he did a decent job at Spa, which was a track he didn't know.

"We hit it off and we're very much for giving people opportunities."