Michael Caine will contest the final two race meetings of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season after penning an eleventh-hour deal to re-join the Motorbase Performance squad.

The Newmarket-based racer has been a regular pilot for the Wrotham-based team over the past decade, donning Motorbase overalls numerous times over the years for campaigns in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, British GT, and Blancpain Endurance Series.

Caine also made his BTCC debut in a Motorbase-run Ford Focus ST at Croft circuit back in 2013 and most recently competed in the tin-top series last season.

The former British GT Champion has replaced Nicolas Hamilton, who announced his early departure from the series earlier this week. Caine will race under his customary #44, in a Pro Alloy-backed Ford Focus RS.

The last-minute deal to participate in the final six rounds of the season came courtesy of additional backing from long-term Motorbase partners, Pro Alloy Motorsport, and Caine’s personal backers, Stace, and Sustain Services.

As per championship regulations, the #44 Focus RS will carry 45kg of ballast into qualifying and round 25 at Silverstone this coming weekend.

“It’s well known that Michael Caine is Motorbase through and through;” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “We have an obligation to run the third car for the rest of the season or risk losing our TBL. He’s a safe pair of hands and knows the team inside out so was the obvious choice to jump in at the final hour.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Pro Alloy and Michael’s sponsors for stepping up with support to make this happen.”

“Pro Alloy and Stace have saved the day;” added Caine. “When there was a seat come up with Motorbase to drive a touring car I was always going to be throwing my name in the hat. I didn’t get to finish the season last year, so it’s good to have this chance to come back and finish the job with Motorbase.

“I don’t have any expectations heading into this weekend. I’ll just take everything as it comes.”

“Pro Alloy and Motorbase have had a long-standing relationship for many years and we’re pleased to have been able to escalate our support of the team for the last two rounds of the BTCC season;” commented Managing Director Alex Osborn. “It’ll be a proud moment for us all to see our logo adorned across the side of Michael’s car this weekend.”