Motor-racer Malvern making plans for the new season.

BARKINGSIDE racer Scott Malvern believes he can make the grade at the next step – and now just needs the finances to be able to make a success of it.

Malvern enjoyed the 2010 campaign, narrowly missing out on winning the British Formula Ford Championship to Australian rival Scott Pye, before being selected to be one of six in the running to win the McLaren Motorsport Award and the �100,000 prize money alongside it.

But now the Barking-born driver wants to make the step up to Formula Renault and believes if he can get the funding in place, he stands a chance of winning.

“Formula Renault is a step in the right direction and it gives me an opportunity to learn a lot more,” said Malvern.

“The last two seasons have been great, and to do so well in a car last year that wasn’t as good as some of the others.

“And with what I did there is no reason to believe I cannot do well. I am not going into it to finish second or third and I can’t really afford to finish in those positions.

“But the gap in funding from last season in the Formula Ford has almost doubled. I am thankful that my sponsors from last season have pledged the same support as last year, with one increasing, but you need at least 50 per cent of your funding for the year to be up front to the team.”

Fortec Motorsport have been quite active with Malvern in terms of a 2011 berth and coupled with Manor Competition – who produced the winning driver for the McLaren Motorsport Award in the last three years, including Lewis Williamson this year – are his desired drives.

He believes he is in ideal shape in terms of fitness if he does get the call up to have a test drive.

“I have been going to the gym and training hard in readiness for an opportunity,” said Malvern.

“If you aren’t organised and sharp and you get a call for a test drive it will certainly be a lot harder.

“I think the money is achievable and as long as I keep my head I know I have a chance of winning it.”

The Formula Renault UK Championship benefits from being on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship, as well as live coverage of the events on ITV 4, with very large attendances between 30 and 50,000 at each event in 2010.

“With it being live on the telly and with bigger crowds across the season it will be better for sponsors, and hopefully that’ll attract them,” said Malvern.