JWRC: Bettega enters with Renault Clio.

TRT have confirmed that Alessandro Bettega will compete in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship this year.

Bettega, who won the Fiesta Sporting Trophy International series in 2006 and who made his debut in a WRC car in Corsica last year - finishing eleventh overall and setting a number of top-ten times - will drive a Renault Clio R3, after TRT put in a late entry for the JWRC at the end of March.

Speaking about the programme, Walter Calcinotto, head of the TRT stable, noted that while they had been hoping to use a World Rally Car, the backing was just not there to be able to do it.

"For months we have been trying different ways to put together a small WRC programme for Alessandro," he explained. "But we had to face a sad truth as far as the future of this sport is concerned and nothing concrete has followed on from the promises aired in 2007.

"The fact is that after these many years of hard work with Alessandro, trying to take a young Italian driver to the highest level possible, it has been useless - at least for the moment.

"There aren't many official sponsors - both in Italy and in the WRC - and you need a big cheque to get a drive, and this is not something TRT can do.

"So twenty days ago Alessandro could have been considered as a young skilled driver without a programme for 2008. Just like in the past I had to personally unblock this impasse.

"As such TRT has purchased a Renault Clio R3 and has entered Alessandro in the FIA Junior WRC. In this way he will have his own car and we preferred to do this, so we can control everything.

"The vehicle is going to be supported during the rallies by Power car, il Munaretto and by a TRT expert. The programme includes a co-operation with Renault Sport. Last year Alessandro ran with a Renault R3 at the Catalunya Rally and finished ninth after only two tyres changes. On that occasion the French experts were impressed by his skills with that car, which was totally new for him. So this is why in 2008 there is the will to continue the cooperation."

Bettega meanwhile is now looking forward to his first JWRC outing of the year in Jordan - and to continuing to work with TRT for a fourth season.

"I'm very happy with this programme, which was only concluded at the end. Last year when I drove a Renault Clio in 2007 I discovered a wonderful car, which hasn't been discovered totally yet," he added.

"I'm looking forward to the year and I'm sure we will be satisfied. Now I will start the tests and in Jordan we will face a completely new rally."