MB Motorsport has today unveiled its fresh look for 2020, after confirming that award-winning retail marketing agency Blue Square will accelerate the team’s assault on this year's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season, through an innovative and multi-faceted naming rights partnership.

The partnership will see MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square take to the track for the first time this season, as the newly rebranded team forges a strong working relationship with a partner renowned for bringing together incredible people and creative solutions.

Last season, Blue Square joined forces with MB Motorsport Sporting Director Mark Blundell as he embarked on his return to racing, with the success of that venture being reflected by the way in which both parties will work together through 2020.

“Strengthening our relationship with Blue Square is a real coup for the whole MB Motorsport team,” said Blundell. “The coming season will see some changes in the way we work as a team and who we work with, and we can draw on Blue Square’s experience in how we can do this most effectively.

“Our partnership with Blue Square extended well beyond the track last year, which will be no different in 2020. Their expertise in accelerating brand performance complements our own sports agency work and we are looking forward to aligning on numerous projects across the year. They’re a high energy, high performing agency and those are two standards which will be holding ourselves to as a team this year too.”

Blue Square branding will take a prominent position on the FK2 Honda Civic Type Rs of Jake Hill and Sam Osborne, with the car appearing on track in its 2020 colours for the first time during the team’s latest test at Brands Hatch today. The new MB Motorsport design will be presented in all its glory when the full liveries of both cars are formally unveiled at the official pre-season BTCC Season Launch on the 17 March, including each driver’s individual partners.

The livery features the instantly recognisable blue, red and yellow colours that have been a fixture of Mark Blundell’s helmet throughout his long and successful racing career and also pay tribute to the Peugeot 905 that Mark drove to victory alongside Derek Warwick and Yannick Dalmas in the 1992 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Thanks to an innovative approach to the way in which MB Motorsport will operate its racing programme this season, a number of specialist channel partners will feature on the livery of the Honda over the course of the year, the first of which will be revealed at Silverstone on 17 March.

Callis Grange Nursery and Junior school in Broadstairs got the week off to a thrilling start today (9 March) thanks to a specially-arranged visit from local Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship racer Michael Cress, and the BTC Racing team.
 
The local authority community school, which teaches children between the ages of three to seven years, invited Crees along to take part in an ‘inspiring’ morning celebration. With Crees' own children both pupils at the school, he and BTC Racing worked in conjunction with Head Teacher Alison Marshall to pull together a unique and interactive event to help inspire the children to follow their dreams.
 
The morning’s activities began with a short introduction from Crees during the school assembly before the children moved outside for an up-close look at the squad’s race-winning BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R touring car and a tour of the trailer used during race weekends.
 
Each pupil also has the chance to win race day tickets for their family at Brands Hatch on 12 April, where they will be welcomed as VIP guests of the BTC Racing team and receive full hospitality, including paddock access and a personal garage tour from Michael himself. 
 
The local press were in attendance throughout the morning, with BBC South East today covering the proceedings for its early evening broadcast which is scheduled to be shown on BBC1 at 1830 tonight.
 
“What a fantastic day," said Head Teacher Alison Marshall. "Michael has been an inspiration to the children.  He has shown that if you work hard, practise, and take advice from those that are there to help you, you may achieve your dream.
 
“With Michael as a parent at the school, it has clearly demonstrated how parents and the school can work together to provide special, memorable experiences for the children. I cannot thank BTC Racing enough.”
 
“The kids were absolutely amazing," said Crees. "They were so well behaved; each and every one of them got involved and interacted with us. They were a credit to the school. When they came out to see the car, their faces lit up. A few of them knew about racing, but it was something completely different for the majority, so it was a great experience for them all.
 
“Every single pupil has entered the competition to win the VIP race day passes. I’m sure that we’ve picked up a few new BTC Racing and BTCC fans along the way!
 
“Thank you to Alison Marshall and all of the staff at Callis Grange for making us all feel so welcome and to the local press and BBC for coming along to support us.”
 
BTC Racing now heads to Brands Hatch, ahead of testing tomorrow at the Kent circuit, where the full three-car lineup will be out in force as Michael Crees, Josh Cook and Tom Chilton all hit the track.

Series Organiser, TOCA, has today (9 March) confirmed it has reclaimed the TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL) previously held by Simpson Racing.

Although TOCA received the required entry deposit back in November, Matt Simpson has since elected not to enter the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Therefore the TBL assigned to Simpson Racing has returned to the control of TOCA and will not be reissued this season.

Teams must hold a TBL for each car entered in the BTCC, with 29 TBLs currently being controlled by teams and a further three licences retained by TOCA (but withheld from use).

Everyone at TOCA and the BTCC would like to wish Matt and his family all the best for the future.

Series returnee Mat Jackson is preparing for his first testing action tomorrow (10 March) at Donington Park in his new FUCHS-backed Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall.

Following a two-year sabbatical, Jackson – former BTCC runner-up and 32-time race winner – will line up alongside fellow tin-top legend Jason Plato at the Warwickshire-based team.

Former two-time BTCC Champion Plato holds 97 victories - the most in the history of the championship. Alongside team-mate Jackson, they have more combined race wins than any other pairing on this year’s BTCC grid.

Formed in 2015, PMR has already established itself amongst the series' top teams and is braced for another strong season, having secured top-five teams' championship finishes in the squad's past two campaigns.

On the eve of the test, the team has also confirmed an exciting new sponsorship deal with leading lubricant manufacturer FUCHS Lubricants.

FUCHS has agreed a package to become a team sponsor to PMR for the 2020 season, an agreement which will see FUCHS’ logo feature on both PMR cars, in their garage and on PMR team wear throughout all ten BTCC events, whilst also providing further technical, corporate and hospitality opportunities.

"We're excited to be getting back on track and really welcoming Mat and FUCHS to the team," said Team Manager Martin Broadhurst. "Having used FUCHS products in various applications for many years, it’s a brand I have a huge amount of respect for. When racing at the highest level, as we are, we are reliant on products that consistently achieve their optimum performance and FUCHS products are renowned for being reliable and high quality. We’re looking forward to working closely with them for the 2020 season and building a strong working relationship for the future."

Motorbase Performance made a return to red as its new car hit the track for the first time at Brands Hatch earlier this week.

Having previously announced the Kent squad's fresh look with the introduction of the fourth-generation Ford Focus, the team has now confirmed its three-strong driver line-up as well as completing the finishing touches on its latest weapon of choice in the BTCC.

Ollie Jackson had the honour of circling the 1.2-mile Indy Circuit in the new car for the first time and he was joined by Independents' champion Rory Butcher, whilst Andy Neate made his Motorbase bow shortly after his signing was confirmed on btcc.net.

"We had a great first day with the new car, it was a true testament to everyone who has been involved with getting this car ready," said team boss Oly Collins. "The car ran faultlessly which meant we could put plenty of miles on it and start to learn what makes it tick. We were fortunate with the weather too. A completely dry and mild morning followed by a fully wet afternoon was good to get both wet and dry running in.

"There were some very positive reactions from Ollie and Rory and we’re all looking forward to continuing our test programme. We’re not under any illusions, this is a brand new car and it's competing in a really tough Championship, we have a lot of work to do but the early signs are really good.

"Andy also got his first taste in a Motorbase car. After a few years out of motorsport he settled in very quickly using the RS. He enjoyed the car and got up to speed in the dry in the morning and then spent the afternoon enjoying the car in the rain. So all in all an extremely productive day."

Motorbase Performance continues its test programme before the entire BTCC grid gets together for the first time during the only official BTCC pre-season test at Silverstone on 17 March.

More images here – Photo Credit: Gary Hawkins

 

 

Esmee Hawkey, one of the UK's leading female racing drivers, has joined MB Motorsport as Official Development Driver ahead of the rebranded outfit's maiden campaign in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Building on her participation in the inaugural season of the W Series, and a third place championship finish in the Pro-Am class of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last year, the new season will see Hawkey embark on another assault on the Carrera Cup GB having teamed up with Championship-winning outfit Team Parker Racing. 

Alongside her racing duties week in and week out as part of the BTCC’s support series, Hawkey will work closely both on and off the track with the MB Motorsport team over the course of the year, with a structured programme being put in place to help the 22-year-old take the next step in her promising racing career.

This support programme will see Hawkey working with MB Motorsport drivers Jake Hill and Sam Osborne, as well as management duo Mark Blundell and Shaun Hollamby, on all aspects of her continued driver development. The development programme will encompass continued on-track coaching, simulator development and off-track mentorship, including everything from PR and media training to commercial activation.

The role will see the Chislehurst-based driver gain a thorough understanding of the operational processes of the BTCC leading up to the championship’s mid-season official test at Snetterton, where Hawkey will get her first experience behind the wheel of the MB Motorsport FK2 Honda Civic.

Excited about what lies ahead, Hawkey is looking to utilise the new role to learn as much as possible to accelerate her continued development.

“I am over the moon to be working with MB Motorsport throughout the 2020 season," she said. "Last year was a great year for me, experiencing the W Series and continuing my development in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB but I feel like 2020 has to be the year that I take the next step in my career. For me, there is no better way than surrounding myself with people who have the knowledge and experience of making their own way up the motorsport ladder, which is exactly what I am trying to do.

“Working with the team across all aspects both on and off the track is going to be a huge help to my development. We’ve already started out on a great footing with some of the work behind the scenes to help me start the season strongly, and we’ll be building up to me getting behind the wheel in the middle of the season too which I can’t wait for!”

The new development role is one element of the team’s continued partnership with HP UK, which took to the track for the first time in 2019 through Mark Blundell’s own racing return. This partnership will come to life in new ways for 2020 through a broad-ranging programme that will provide opportunities to new and young talent across the MB Motorsport team, support HP’s channel partner engagement across the UK, and deliver unique event-based opportunities throughout the year ahead.

Welcoming Esmee to the team, MB Motorsport’s Sporting Director, Mark Blundell, is excited by how the team can help drive forward her racing development throughout the year.

“There are so many different elements that go into making a top-level racing driver in the present day and you can only improve and develop across all of these when you are exposed to them - this new role will allow Esmee exactly that," he said. "Esmee has made a thoroughly impressive start to her career, has some great people already around her and we are hoping that we can help accelerate this development this year through her new role. 

"With Shaun having already worked with her during the early stages of her career, he is well aware of the talent Esmee possesses, and I was also able to see that first hand myself last year where she produced a number of impressive drives in the Carrera Cup.

“The last fifteen years of my career have been spent trying to provide opportunities for young people to make the most of their talent no matter what barriers lie in their way, and HP UK are just as passionate about that too. We are really looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with HP UK and this new opportunity for Esmee is just one part of that.”

As part of EXCELR8 Motorsport’s new frontier of talent for the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Championship, the Suffolk-based team has today (6 March) announced the signing of multiple BTCC winning engineer Kevin Berry. Heading up their engineering team, he will also be working with the Suffolk-based squad’s new driver for 2020; Senna Proctor.

Joining him will be Danny King, who will oversee race winner Chris Smiley’s car, while Marvin Humphries continues to lead the outfit as Team Manager after his invaluable work during their maiden BTCC campaign.

Berry has been working in the series since 1999. During his BTCC career, he’s worked for Triple Eight Racing, guiding them to eight manufacturers’ and six drivers’ titles during his 13 years on the Vauxhall Vectra. It was during this period at VX Racing that Kevin first got into contact with EXCELR8 Team Manager Marvin Humphries.

Since 2013, he’s worked for West Surrey Racing (WSR), culminating in a second and third Drivers’ Championship for Colin Turkington in 2018, where, as a result of his efforts, he was awarded the coveted title of Engineer of the Year. He has since gained experience with Cyan Racing Lynk and Co in the WTCR.

“I’ve already been involved in some of the development of the new car during the winter,” said Berry. “This year I’ll be helping EXCELR8’s race engineering as well as with the driver on the car.

“We’ll be working with Senna before the events to plan what we do with the development and setup. During the race weekends, I’ll be maximising both the driver’s setup and working relationship with the team, whilst aiding and improving the car throughout the season. I cannot wait for the first round.”

An experienced team manager in his own right, Marvin Humphries has previously flourished during stints at WSR and Eurotech as well as his own Tech-Speed Motorsport team.

Recently liaising with Willie Poole Motorsport, who have built the Hyundai shells, Humphries is turning his attention to the season opener at Donington Park at the end of the month (28/29 March). One of the series’ most experienced faces, with over four decades experience, he is confident of a strong season ahead and working with a new team.

“Kevin first worked for me at Tech-Speed and was Colin Turkington’s engineer for a number of years when I was team manager at West Surrey Racing, so I’ve known him as a friend and it’s fantastic to have him on board,” said Humphries. “To strengthen the outfit to this extreme is promising.

“It’s an exciting time for the team with the new car and the new driver line up. I’ve been in this game a long while and it’s quite exciting to bring the team here from where we were last year, building a new car with a new manufacturer, I’m really looking forward to it. The season is not far away now so we have to crack on.”

“This role is something you still get a buzz out of, considering the package we have in 2020, it should be quite exciting.”

Team Principal Oliver Shepherd is delighted about EXCELR8’s new era, as they prepare for their first season racing the brand-new Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance. Overseeing the engineering, as well as the team across TOCA, Shepherd will play a key role in the development of a new winning formula.

“Having Kevin on board is going to be a great thing,” said Shepherd. “I’ve spent a bit of time working with him now over the winter period just on the car build and design. Right from day one, it was clear how much he knows about these cars and how much experience he brings. I’m feeling really confident that with Kevin alongside the drivers we’ve got, it should be a race-winning combination.

“Danny King is an extremely experienced engineer who will be heading up the other car alongside Chris Smiley. King is more than knowledgeable, with history in ELMS and automation. Working alongside Kevin’s experience in Touring Cars, the two of them will have some great results.

“Keeping them all on the straight and narrow will be Marvin. From the new engineering talent throughout EXCELR8 to our team managers, this year is looking very strong, so I’ve got some high expectations of them all.”

The 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will see Howard Fuller replace Mike Bushell in one of the Team HARD. Racing Volkswagen CCs for at least the first three events, as the 30-year-old continues his recovery from Myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle.

Fuller last drove in the BTCC back in 2013 in Team HARD. Racing’s Vauxhall Insignia, scoring multiple points despite only competing in two events of the season. Looking ahead to 2020, there is great excitement for what a return to the series might bring, as the 27-year-old takes to the wheel of the Team HARD. Racing CC in Spain next week.

“Howard has been an integral part of the team for ten years now and even when he wasn't racing with us, we have remained in close contact and tried many times to get him back on track,” said Team HARD. Racing’s Managing Director, Tony Gilham. “Our journey together began back in 2011 and led to his BTCC debut in 2012. Being totally honest with myself, whilst Howard was ready as a driver, we weren't ready as a team at the top level at that point. Howard is an amazing talent and up until now, there has always been something lacking with us as a team which hasn't allowed us to extract everything from his potential. However, 2020 will finally see what we can achieve together where we are both more than prepared at the same time.

“Whilst we believe Howard has the potential to go to the very top, we all know that it is very important to build a career on solid foundations. So, the decision was made to hit the reset button and essentially relaunch Howard as we look to take him back up the racing ladder. Howard brings a wealth of experience and will be a great ambassador for us both on and off-track, so we are very much looking forward to what we can achieve this season.

“Naturally, I’m devastated for Mike; we’ve been in contact throughout his recovery and we wanted to keep him in the car, but health must come first, and we wish Mike well. He is still a vital part of the team and we will continue working with him during the opening rounds of the championship until we reassess his health in May.”

Fuller’s return to the grid will see him take to the track for the first nine races of the year, having only ever competed in six races in any one year previously.

“I've waited 7 years for the phone call,” said Fuller. “Our first outing in the championship way back in 2012 with Team HARD in the iconic green and pink Honda Civic, how things have grown! I'm so honoured, privileged and grateful for every opportunity that’s come my way along this journey. Team HARD is more than a race team to me, it’s family and to represent the team in the BTCC is such an unbelievable feeling. I just want to get started!

“I'm motivated by winning. That’s the goal, of course, but my job is simple: drive the team forward as much as possible and extract as much performance as possible on and off the track. I've got a very professional and ever improving squad behind me, with strong and fast teammates, so I'm keen to work together, learn and push forward.

“There’s no doubt things will be a bit rusty but I'm physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. The speed will come organically, the team know I can do it, and so do I. Obviously the circumstances aren't ideal with Mike unfortunately not being able to race, he'll be missed for sure! A real character of the paddock and definitely one of the fastest on the grid.”

Bushell, who rejoined the grid at Knockhill in 2019, replacing Sam Tordoff for the remainder of the season, was due to return to the BTCC for the 2020 campaign with Team HARD. Racing, and is understandably frustrated regarding the turn of events.

“I’m extremely frustrated to have yet another hurdle put in front of me in my pursuit of success in the BTCC,” said the Kent-born driver. “I had a good feeling about the development of the Volkswagen CC for 2020 and was excited to get behind the wheel. I’ve been in close contact with the team with the winter upgrades and was keen to start from where we left off in 2018.

“Unfortunately, there is still some damage and residual inflammation of my heart after falling ill at the start of February. It means that I am unable to hold a race licence, but more importantly, I’m not physically able to race at the moment and I have to put my health first.

“I will have to postpone my return the BTCC grid once again and focus on getting back to full health. I wish the team and Howard all the best for the start of the season.”

Fuller will be partnering Jack Goff in a two-car pairing but will also be working closely alongside Team HARD. Racing’s other drivers of Carl Boardley and Nic Hamilton as the team looks to build on a promising end to the 2019 season.

Motorbase Performance has today (3 March) announced the final seat of its three-car 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship lineup has been filled by BTCC returnee Andy Neate.

The 45-year-old driver has started more than 100 races in his BTCC career and will be making a return to the category after three years away.

He has driven for six different teams in the series’ top-flight and is eager to get started with Motorbase, beginning his test programme in an older-spec version of the team’s Ford Focus before switching to the brand new fourth-generation Focus ST when it is completed by the Kent-based crew.

Neate said that he was delighted with the deal and was chomping at the bit to get started with his pre-season programme.

“It has been a while, but I feel like I have some unfinished business in the BTCC,” said Neate. “I have taken some time away and I have been overseeing my son Aiden’s burgeoning karting career, but there was always the itch to come back to the BTCC. I don’t think I have been in a place where I could really show what I can do, but Motorbase suits me perfectly.

“Within minutes of talking to the team bosses, I could tell there was a hunger to succeed here which matches my own ambitions and there is also a really nice and encouraging atmosphere. We will be a superb fit, I am sure.

“I have a lot of experience and I have always enjoyed developing new cars, so the challenge with Motorbase and its new Ford Focus is something I am keen to get started with. I need to dust off some cobwebs first and I want to be in a position to hit the ground running when we get to the opening rounds at Donington Park (28/29 March).”

Neate will join Ollie Jackson and reigning Independents’ Trophy holder Rory Butcher as part of the three-car squad for the 2020 season.

“We’re delighted to welcome Andy to Motorbase Performance in a very exciting year for us with the new car,” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “Andy has a wealth of experience in the BTCC with some very good teams and from our early meetings, he is very motivated and keen to get to work with our team.

“The BTCC has moved on since his absence from the series and Andy has no illusions of the task ahead and getting back up to speed. We have a test programme planned which will start in last year’s car to get him back up to speed and see how the cars have developed since he last drove the Honda. I feel sure from his experience he will be a great addition to the team.”

Mark Blundell Motorsport travelled to Donington Park on Thursday (27 February) as Jake Hill and Sam Osborne undertook testing ahead of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Hill described his first outing in the MB Motorsport Honda Civic Type R as ‘fantastic’ on a cold but ultimately dry day's running.

“The team have done an impeccable job preparing the car,” said Hill. “It has run perfectly all day, with no teething troubles whatsoever. Other than some minor adjustments to the seating position, I couldn't have asked for more.”

Hill and Osborne worked diligently through a comprehensive programme, with the team making several adjustments over the course of the day and completing plenty of laps.

Whilst ultimate lap times were not the target, Hill set his personal fastest ever lap time at Donington Park in a BTCC car but was most pleased with the feel of the Honda Civic Type R.

“What a fantastic car,” said Hill. “I can now understand why it’s been so successful in every year since its debut. It does everything so well and having driven half a dozen BTCC cars - some good, some less good - I now know what a championship-winning car feels like.

“For a first day, it's been mega. I have loved working with my engineer Craig, and I know we will only get better as I understand the Civic more. I can't wait to get back out in the car again.”

The next MB Motorsport test will see Osborne head to Oulton Park on 4 March, while Hill is set to hit the tarmac again at Brands Hatch on 10 March, before both drivers join the full 2020 BTCC grid for Season Launch at Silverstone on 17 March.