Rollcentre Racing has confirmed that Duncan Tappy will drive its LMP1 Pescarolo during the second round of the Le Mans Series at Monza this coming weekend.

The Formula Renault UK champion has been given he chance to compete in the series for the first time with Joao Barbosa unable to compete due to clashing Grand Am commitment in the United States, with team boss Martin Short contacting fellow BRDC member Tim Harvey to see if the former BTCC champion could suggest anyone to step in and fill the void.

"In Joao's absence I wanted to give a young British talent a chance," he said. "Tim Harvey was my first port of call as director of the BRDC Superstars programme.

"I'm a BRDC member so was keen to add my support. One of our 2007 drivers, Stuart Hall, is a Superstar too. Tim recommended Duncan and he seems to fit what I'm looking for. He's a fighter and has done it the hard way."

Tappy, who has also competed in the rookie sessions for Team GB in A1GP over the winter said he was thrilled to get the chance to race the Pescarolo, adding that it would be a different challenge to anything he has done in the past.

"I'm very excited," he said. "I'm very grateful to Martin for giving me this opportunity and to Tim for his support. I'm very fortunate to be able to benefit from the Superstars programme. I knew I'd get support and advice but to get a drive as good as this is way beyond my expectations.

"It's going to be very different from any racing I've done before. The car has power steering but even so it will be very demanding physically but that's what I train for. I'm not used to pit stops and driver changes so I'll be making the most of every opportunity to practice."