The 21-year-old has switched teams after a miserable debut season in the British Fiesta Si Championship and is now aiming for title glory in 1999.

He completed his first testing session at Oulton Park with his new team, Tim Norton Racing, last Thursday.

It was a glorious track debut in his new car which saw him clock a time of 1min 15.2secs.

That was good enough to beat the competitive lap record.

He said: "Unlike last season, when I was racing for the BIM team, I am driving a car designed specifically for me.

"At Oulton I wasn't really pushing it because I'm not fully familiar with the car yet, but I still clocked a great time."

The week before Buxton was testing at Donington, where the season gets underway at the end of March, and clocked a time which would have been good enough to earn him a place on the front of the grid last season.

Daniel added: "Motor racing should be all about enjoyment but, last season, I found myself dreading each race.

"I'm enjoying my racing again now and think I have a good chance of winning the title."

Last season he was second in the junior championship and sixth in the main competition despite a spate of mechanical problems. It was a series of impressive drives in adversity which convinced Tim Norton Racing to sign him up.

But in order to complete the campaign Buxton must find £25,000 of sponsorship. If you can offer any financial backing contact Daniel on 07971 281336.

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