British driver Ed Tilley is set to launch his bid to join the NASCAR grid after securing the chance to take part in the 2008 ARCA series.

Tilley, team principal of aspiring touring car entrants Encke Sport, will take part in his debut test at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on 7 December at the wheel of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo in preparation for the 2008 season and will hope to follow in the footsteps of people like Juan Pablo Montoya – who also made his debut in the ARCA series before stepping up the NEXTEL Cup.

"All my life I've had one interest, racing cars and winning," he said. "To be given a chance to prove myself in the ARCA series is a very special opportunity that I could not turn down."

Tilley will be mentored initially by NASCAR ace Randy Baker who said he was looking to help the Briton made an impact in his American move.

"We are very excited about working with Ed," he said. "His career has been on hold over the past year as Ed took some time out due to a family bereavement, but we are looking forward to working with him and his sponsors to help him reach his goals in motorsport.

"We have a great team around us here to point him in the right direction and achieve great things."