Ex-GP3 driver Kiss to contest European Rallycross

Kiss converted to rallycross in 2015, and ran in the Hungarian championship before making his Euro RX debut at the final round of the European series in Italy, where he drove a Hansen Talent Development Peugeot 208.

The Hungarian will continue to race the same car this season, entered by the Speed Box Racing squad.

“I’m really excited to be able to commit to a full season of Euro RX in such a fantastic car,” said Kiss, who also has race wins from his stints in British Formula Renault and Auto GP. “We wanted the best car available and we’ve built a good relationship with the Hansen family.

"We decided that we would buy the car I raced in Italy and it will be run by our own team, with some technical support from the Hansen team.

“I would like to be on the podium a couple of times in Euro RX this year. We realised the potential of the sport and the new era on time. I have been looking for full year of international challenges and for sure I have made a correct decision. I can see myself doing this for a long time."

The Hungarian has confirmed he is hoping the European Championship campaign will be a stepping stone towards his goal of joining the World Rallycross field.

"The team, which is led by my brother, firstly has to perform in Euro RX. I know they can do it, and I hope to be able to participate in at least one round of World RX in 2016.

"We need to be ready both financially and mentally for that, and also we need to prove we have the pace to be at the front of the grid, too. There are important and hard steps in the ladder to climb first.”

Peugeot-Hansen team principal Kenneth Hansen, who won 14 European Championships as a driver, was impressed by Kiss in Italy last year.

"We’ve known Tamas since the days he and Timmy did circuit racing together," he said.

"We worked with him for the first time in 2015 and he impressed us with the professional way he faced the challenges of a new sport and team. We believe he will have a successful future in the Peugeot 208 WRX."

A pair of Polish drivers also announced their participation in Euro RX earlier this week. Former WRC driver and 2015 Dakar podium finisher Krzysztof Holowczyc will be joined by Martin Kaczmarski in a brace of ex-Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta Supercars.