Greg Owens in the fast lane for second season

The Staffordshire driver will be back flying round some of the country's best known tracks in a fully race-tuned Smart car.

Owens, 39, from Longdon, near Lichfield, said his goal was to win a 4two Cup series race, which takes place over 12 rounds and starts at Silverstone on May 8.

He said: "I had been driving two-stroke karts for a long time and started looking around for what would suit me best money-wise.

"For people like me, it's all about ticking that box so I can say I have raced in a proper series and now I have made the leap into proper car racing.

"This will be my second season now and my one aim is to get a win because I came back with a few second places last year.

"I had a strong debut season last year but I go into 2016 with two goals, which are more silverware and a debut win.

Owens, who works as an IT consultant, has secured sponsorship with outdoor kart circuit, Midland Karting, for the 2016 season.

The team unveiled its new livery at the NEC's Autosport International motorsport show and Owens, who once worked at Midland Karting, will carry the company's logo across his overalls and race helmet.

He said: "I am thrilled to welcome Midland Karting on-board as my title sponsor as I graduate from my rookie year in circuit racing.

"The very first time I sat in a go-kart was at the Midland Karting circuit. I later took a summer job there alongside a new apprentice mechanic, current joint-owner Garry Mitchell.

"This was longer ago than either of us care to remember. Motorsport is an expensive sport,but facilities like those at Midland Karting open up this exclusive world to those of us without vast wealth.

"It took many years to realise my dream of being a racing driver but the skills I first learned over countless laps around Fradley Park have stood me in good stead.

"I still get a thrill from jumping behind the wheel at my local track."

Owens said the cars could reach about 140mph towards the end of some of the straights and they were great fun to handle around the corners.

He continued: "I call this white collar racing because it won't break the bank if it goes wrong.

"The 4two Cup is a one-make series for the Smart and the fully race-tuned, 130bhp pocket rockets compete over a 12-race series at some of the UK's most prestigious tracks such as Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park.

"Motor racing is the only sport I have ever been interested in and I remember watching my first Grand Prix and thinking that's what I wanted to do.

"We'd all like to think we could beat Lewis Hamilton around the track but the majority of us are not career racing drivers, so this is great if you're on a budget and don't have lots of funds."

Garry Mitchell, owner of Midland Karting, told of how the firm is delighted to be working with Owens and the team.

He added: "We've helped develop the skills of several budding motorsport stars at Midland Karting and we know talent when we see it."

The series will also travel to Rockingham from June 11-12, Snetterton July 16-17, Anglesey August 6-7, Croft September 10-11 and Donington Park October 16.