34 year-old Smith, who is a relative newcomer to truck racing having only started in 2014, has so far enjoyed success in both the Delphi British Truck Racing Championship - Division 2 and the FIA ETRC, where he made his debut last season at Spielberg.

Driving a MAN truck with a self-run team, Smith put in eye-catching FIA ETRC performances at Red Bull Ring and Nogaro in 2015.

This season Smith is looking forward to racing in the FIA ETRC once again and with the experienced and well-drilled OXXO Racing Team, he is relishing the prospect of fighting at the sharp end of the field.

“I am really excited to have joined OXXO Racing Team and I think we can achieve some great things together,” Smith told FIAETRC.com this week. “I am confident in the team and despite the fact I only have two seasons under my belt I would like to target top five finishes; I think that is do-able and after Brands Hatch recently we know we can be really competitive.”

“We have some UK sponsors so will do a full season of racing in the UK this year, but the intention is to do at least four races in FIA ETRC– Red Bull Ring, Nürburgring, Hungaroring and Most,” confirmed Smith. “Then the long-term plan is to race full-time in the FIA ETRC in 2017. That’s where we want to be.”

The OXXO Racing Team is a proven championship winning squad and Smith thinks they will be strong again in 2016.

“We have a great package this year with the OXXO Racing Team MAN crew, and with fantastic partners like Knorr-Bremse, Alcoa Wheels, Fliegl and Pt-hire Ltd we will have a very strong season.”

The British racer has so far been impressed with the work of new promoters the European Truck Racing Association (ETRA Promotion GmbH) and believes that there is a prosperous future for truck racing in Europe.

“I think it is a new era of truck racing in Europe and the level will be really high,” opined Smith. “The professionalism shown so far has been encouraging and everyone has been helpful. I have a good feeling with the new promoters and I think the fans can look forward to a cracking spectacle.”

See how Ryan and OXXO Racing Team start their 2016 FIA ETRC campaign at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg over the weekend of 30th April/1st May.