CHIPPENHAM speedster Kyle Tilley is aiming to put himself in the shop window when he begins racing in the British Formula 3 International series later this year.

The 24-year-old, who made his name in Sports and GT racing, has entered his own Eagle Motorsport team into this year’s series and will race in a self-run 220bhp Toyota-powered Dallara, with his father Charles helping out in the garage.

Tilley dreams of one day competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours and despite admitting his switch to Formula 3 is a sideways move, the he is certain that a good performance could unlock a host of opportunities.

“It’s definitely a step sideways and some people may even look at it as a step backwards but Formula 3 is a great way to put yourself in the spotlight,” said Tilley, who works at Avon Valley Cyclery in Bath.

“There a load of different young driver programmes that look at picking up drivers from Formula 3.

“My dream is still to do the Le Mans 24 Hours but those programmes could be for absolutely anywhere.

“To run with a team would cost £750,000 and to run your own car is about a tenth of that.

“It’s still expensive but my dad is going to be working with me and with the contacts we’ve got throughout racing, we should be able to get a lot of help.

“I’ve raced similar cars in the Formula Ford before but they don’t have big wings.”

The 2013 British series is set to get underway at Oulton Park on March 31.

Tilley will be running his Eagle Motorsport car with the colours of the Stoke Association and the Chippenham racer is holding a competition in conjunction with his charity partners to win a brand new Toyota Yaris, a supercar experience and tickets to the F1 British GP.

For more information, visit kyletilley.com/charity-competition.