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.

The countdown to the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is well and truly on, with teams taking part in rigorous testing schedules ahead of the season opener at Donington Park on 28/29 March.

This coming fortnight will see no less than seven teams take to various circuits, both around the UK and at Guadix circuit in Barcelona, with as many as six teams set to hit the tarmac on 27 February alone.

Snetterton, Donington Park, Pembrey Circuit, Oulton Park, Brands Hatch, Croft and Guadix will host unofficial testing over the next few weeks, with BTC Racing already kicking off proceedings in Spain on Monday (24 February).

The next action sees Carlube Triple R Racing with Cataclean & Mac Tools head to Carmarthenshire for a three-day run at Pembrey, commencing today (26 February).

Mark Blundell (MB) Motorsport journeys to Donington Park tomorrow (27 February), where the squad will be joined by Halfords Yuasa Racing and Team Parker Racing, whilst simultaneously Team BMW and Team HARD will be represented at Snetterton.

Team HARD will be back at Snetterton and Donington Park next week, with Team BMW again joining the Kent-based squad at the latter.

MB Motorsport, Trade Price Cars Racing and Team Parker Racing will operate at Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, respectively.

The largest unofficial group test will be at Brands Hatch across 10/11 March, where Team BMW, Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team HARD, MB Motorsport and Trade Price Cars Racing will be testing.

Carlube Triple R Racing with Cataclean & Mac Tools will also be at Donington Park that week, while Team Parker Racing continues its preparations at Oulton Park.

The only official pre-season test will take place as part of the BTCC Season Launch on 17 March at Silverstone circuit, where all cars will be present. Further information regarding ticketing for the test can be found here.

Date	Circuits	Teams
24 February	Guadix	BTC Racing
25 February	Guadix	BTC Racing
26 February	Guadix	BTC Racing
26 February	Pembrey	Carlube Triple R Racing
27 February	Pembrey	Carlube Triple R Racing
27 February	Snetterton	Team BMW & Team HARD
27 February	Donington Park	Team Dynamics, MB Motorsport & Team Parker
28 February	Pembrey	Carlube Triple R Racing
28 February	Snetterton	Team BMW & Team HARD
2 March	Snetterton	Team HARD
4 March	Oulton Park	MB Motorsport & Trade Price Cars Racing
4 March	Brands Hatch	Team Parker
5 March	Donington Park	Team BMW & Team HARD
9 March	Guadix	Team HARD
10 March	Guadix	Team HARD
10 March	Brands Hatch	Team BMW, MB Motorsport, Trade Price Cars Racing, Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team HARD
10 March	Oulton Park	Team Parker Racing
11 March	Guadix	Team HARD
11 March	Brands Hatch	Team BMW, Halfords Yuasa Racing, Carlube Triple R Racing
12 March	Guadix	Team HARD
12 March	Donington Park	Carlube Triple R Racing
13 March	Guadix	Team HARD
19 March	Donington Park	MB Motorsport, Trade Price Cars Racing, Halfords Yuasa Racing
20 March	Croft	Halfords Yuasa Racing

 

Unofficial testing schedules based on information provided by teams and subject to change.

As the countdown to the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship hots up, the portal to book tickets for the official pre-season test day on Tuesday 17 March has been launched.

In a change of procedure from recent seasons, Silverstone has instigated this process to ensure all numbers can be catered for and facilitated throughout the day.

With almost all 2020 BTCC drivers announced, the pre-season test will not only see the first time that new team combinations, cars and liveries take to the tarmac but also the first time the BTCC has tackled the Silverstone International layout.

The free-of-charge etickets are available from the below link and will allow access to the circuit via shuttle buses from 0930, with some six hours of testing scheduled throughout the day.

Get your tickets here

Team Dynamics has recruited triple BTCC champion Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden for pre-season testing, replacing fellow three-time Champion Matt Neal, as he continues his recovery from a recent mountain bike injury.

Shedden will re-join the team in a testing capacity and help to fulfil the team's test plan leading up to the start of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

“My recovery is going well and everything is starting to mend,” said Neal. “I’m doing everything possible to get in the car for the first round at Donington at the end of March.

"However, we have undertaken a lot of changes to the car over the winter period, which we need to try on-track and to do this with a back-to-back comparative test programme. There was no better choice than my old teammate Flash, he knows the team, he knows our work ethic and he is the natural choice to jump into my seat.”

“Team Dynamics has always been my race family and I’m happy to be able to help,” said Shedden. “We have obviously kept in constant contact since I went to WTCR and I have been down and seen the boys on a number of occasions over that two-year period. Obviously my friendship with Matt means I really feel for him, and hope that he can make a speedy recovery. But at the business end, we need to get the job done and get the cars race-ready for the start of the season.

"I haven’t driven the Honda Civic Type R FK8 yet so I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel and assisting with its development. Both Matt and Dan [Cammish] have been telling me how awesome it is to drive, so it will be interesting to compare it to the old FK2 that I won back-to-back drivers’ titles in 2015/2016!”

Team HARD. Racing has today (21 February) announced that Nic Hamilton will complete the squad’s 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship driver line up as its fourth and final driver.

Hamilton contested 24 rounds of the UK’s premier motor racing series in 2019, competing in a Motorbase-run Ford Focus, having previously joined the championship for four events in 2015 as a guest entry. Looking ahead to 2020, there is great excitement for what a second BTCC campaign might bring as Hamilton takes to the wheel of a ROKiT Phones and ABK Beer sponsored Team HARD. Racing Volkswagen CC.

The team has been working hard to develop the Volkswagen CC, which demonstrated an improvement in pace during the second half of the 2019 season.  This improvement in performance was highlighted when the team took its first-ever BTCC win at Silverstone.

“I’m super excited to be with Team HARD. Racing for the 2020 season,” said Hamilton. “Last year was so challenging for me. Coming close to facing a reality where my career might be over was really tough, but people stuck by me, kept me focused and upbeat and I’m now in a great place to start a new chapter behind the wheel. Team HARD. Racing is the most professional outfit I’ve worked with. The squad’s tenacity, motivation and belief inspire me. The team deserves a great season from me and I’m going to give it my all.   

“The way these guys go about things in preparing the car and energising the team is inspiring; it cultivates such a great atmosphere from the factory to the pit lane.  They help give me such enthusiasm for the season ahead and having ROKiT Phones and ABK Beer as partners, once again, is tremendous as they are brands with a passion to be the best in their industry, something that really resonates with me. Last year they stuck by me and acted with such integrity.  I’m proud to represent them and be a part of their success, and more than anything I’m grateful for their continued support.”

“I’m delighted that Nic has chosen to join the team for the 2020 season,” said Team HARD. Racing’s Managing Director, Tony Gilham. “His determination and drive to succeed has really lifted the whole team as we prepare three brand new Volkswagen CCs. Nic showed really encouraging signs in the series last season and his performance in the early laps of the opening round at Brands Hatch really caught my eye.

“This is the first year in the team’s history that we are going to Spain for testing and I couldn’t be more excited. A solid stint in the new Volkswagen CC will really benefit Nic both on and off-track as he settles into a new and very different team. I’m expecting Nic to learn a lot from our returning drivers as we look to move further up the grid in 2020.”

Hamilton’s Volkswagen CC is modified to allow him to compete with cerebral palsy. The car in its striking new ROKiT red livery will be heading to Spain for an intense test schedule alongside the team's other two CCs driven by Jack Goff and Mike Bushell, ahead of the series' official test day at Silverstone on 17 March.