Max Coates, multiple-race winner and championship favourite in the Renault UK Clio Cup, will be running the IAM RoadSmart logo on his 130mph Clio for the 2019 season.

Max, 25, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, was one of 15 up-and-coming young racing drivers who are part of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Stars and SuperStars programmes who took the IAM RoadSmart advanced driver test during an intensive two-day event called #Formula DriveSmart at Silverstone last December.

#FormulaDriveSmart was championed by race and rally legend Paddy Hopkirk MBE.

Max scored a F1RST in his advanced test and to show his commitment to safe driving he has agreed to donate space on his Renault Clio to promote IAM RoadSmart and its activities for the 2019 season.

He is racing with Team HARD in the 2019 Renault UK Clio Cup. Team HARD is also taking part in the British Touring Car Championship with Bobby Thompson – who also achieved a F1RST at #FormulaDriveSmart.

IAM RoadSmart is delighted that Max has made the gesture, as it puts the charity’s name directly in front of the biggest at-risk age group when it comes to drivers - young men under 25 - with a large television, social media and race-day audience.

Max said: “I am more than happy to be supporting IAM RoadSmart on my car this year. Taking the advanced driving course made me think about observation and planning on road far more than before, and I saw that my driving could become smoother and I would derive more enjoyment from it as a result.

“Those principles of planning, reading the road ahead and anticipation should stand me in good stead on the race track this year – I hope you’ll all come out and cheer me on in 2019!”

Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “Many thanks to Max for agreeing to run our name on his car this year. Getting the word out about our work will be invaluable in showing young drivers how relevant advanced driving can be to them – it is an enjoyable activity and could save a life one day.”

The Renault UK Clio Cup supports the British Touring Car Championship, so look out for Max and his Clio as part of ITV4's race coverage through the year.

If you want to take a look at what #FormulaDriveSmart was all about take a look at our video about the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vp_zr69tXQ