Wycombe race ace AJ Owen is eyeing a title challenge in a new championship this season - The Nippon Challenge.

Owen has been hugely successful in the Pre 2003 Touring Car Championship in recent years but is setting his sights on a new challenge for 2018.

The Nippon Challenge is a championship specifically designed for Japanese cars to take part and Owen will be challenging in his Honda Civic Type R which has served him so well.

The car has seen modifications in the close season which Owen feels will help him towards potential success.

He said: "The close season has been really good. We have spent quite a bit of money on the car.

"We have got a bigger exhaust on it, new bigger fuel injectors and have managed to get another 25 horsepower out of the car.

"This season I will be driving on treaded tyres as opposed to slicks. It will be a challenge as the slicks have more grip but am looking forward to it.

"I will only be testing the car on the new tyres two before my first race but am sure it won't pose any problems.

"I will be racing against much bigger cars than mine such as Nissan Skylines but I will be in a set class so am confident I can have a really good season.

"ASM are also sponsoring me once again and I am thankful once again for their support."

The first race of the new season is on March 25 at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit and Owen explained how much he loves the track.

He added: "It is a very good circuit for me. The laps are short at just over a mile and the corners come very quickly but I always seem to do well there and hope to get off to a great start."