Simon Belcher graduates to the BTCC for 2014 season

Belcher was 18th in the Clio Cup this season and will race the Avensis under the Handy Motorsport banner.

"I am absolutely delighted to have made it to the pinnacle of British motorsport in the BTCC, it really is a dream come true", said the 39-year-old former Legends racer.

"We have been working on this deal for many months now and I am delighted to be part of the Handy Motorsport and Speedworks team for 2014.

"Due to the huge success of the NGTC [New Generation Touring Car] regulations in the BTCC, which have created a level playing field between teams of all sizes, it's now or never to make the move into the championship."

Although Handy Motorsport will prepare the car, Speedworks will provide engineering assistance.

"Rather than build our own car in the first year, we decided it would be better to work with an existing team", added Belcher.

"Speedworks was one of the first teams to run the NGTC cars, so have a heap of experience. They started to show what they're capable of with some fantastic results in the last couple of BTCC events this year, hence the decision to work with them."

Handy is due to take delivery of the car in December.