mmg.com.au

Australian international driver and Chesney Vale local Nick McBride will be behind the wheel of Tony D’Alberto Racing’s Ford Falcon FG in this year’s Dunlop Series.

McBride, 21, will drive the FPR-built FG Falcon that Tony D’Alberto raced in last year’s V8 Supercars Championship.

‘‘I’m really excited and this is a massive opportunity that Tony and Al D’Alberto have presented me,’’ McBride said.

It will be McBride’s debut in V8 Supercars, having spent the past two seasons in the United Kingdom competing in British Formula Ford and Formula 3.

In his maiden F3 season, McBride finished 10th in the famous British International F3 Championship.

‘‘I think my experience in Europe is definitely going to help,’’ McBride said. ‘‘Europe is a tough environment and with V8 Supercars being very competitive, I think the level of competition will be similar.’’

While McBride will be a V8 Supercars rookie, Tony D’Alberto Racing is no stranger to the series.

Tony D’Alberto Racing started in the series in 2005 before winning it with driver D’Alberto in 2007.

When D’Alberto progressed to the Championship in 2008, the team entered V8 rookie David Reynolds, who finished fourth overall.

‘‘We are looking forward to getting back into the Dunlop Series with Nick,’’ Al D’Alberto said. ‘‘Nick is a very polite, talented young man and we’re very pleased to be working with him in 2013.’’

McBride will test at Winton prior to the opening event of the Dunlop Series in Adelaide as part of the Clipsal 500 on February 28 to March 3.