A new chapter awaits Motorbase Performance in the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, following today’s (7 January) announcement of the formal acquisition of the Kent-based squad by AmD Tuning Managing Director, Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne.

The resulting change in management sees long-time Team Principal, David Bartrum, step aside after a tremendously successful period leading the organisation’s on-track operation for nearly two decades.

Founded in 2004, Motorbase has enjoyed widespread success in the BTCC, British GT – taking the championship title in 2012 – and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. It has claimed 109 podiums in the BTCC since joining the grid in 2006, clinching the 2016 Independent Teams’ crown and finishing as Independents’ runner-up in 2020.   

The squad will continue to run under the Motorbase Performance banner with its core operational staff, including experienced Team Manager Oly Collins alongside AmD’s Technical Director Rob Tickner, and will still operate out of its workshop in Wrotham, Kent.

Inbound Team Principal, Hollamby and Managing Director, Osborne, are incredibly excited to be building on this success moving forward, having already forged a winning partnership in 2020 within the BTCC at MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square.

Hollamby, who has driven forward the successful AmD Tuning operation within Britain’s elite motorsport series over the past decade, took to the track himself in 2010 and sporadically in 2011 and 2013, and his efforts have since centred on building one of the series’ most respected Independent entries. Enjoying continued growth over the last decade, this success was highlighted by the team securing the Independent Teams’ Championship in 2019 and supporting Rory Butcher in claiming the Independent Drivers’ title and Jack Sears Trophy in the same year.

A racer in his own right, Osborne has been a familiar face within the British motorsport community for a number of years, initiating from his own participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and most recently through his support of his son, Sam, in his transition into the BTCC in 2019.

The new management team will build upon the excellent work of Motorbase Performance in 2020, following the squad’s hugely successful build and introduction of the fourth-generation Ford Focus ST. Taking five race wins, eleven podiums and two pole positions across the latest campaign, hopes are high heading into the forthcoming season.

“For me personally, this is closing one chapter in my involvement with the BTCC as well as starting a new one,” reflected Hollamby. “We had some great times as AmD Tuning in this amazing championship and I want to thank everybody involved through all those years. Every season, we have grown in stature and that has led us to what we are able to do today.

“Motorbase Performance is synonymous with everything that is great about the BTCC and a huge deal of credit must go to David [Bartrum] and his team for what they have achieved. Their work gives us a great foundation to build on, as we hope to go from strength-to-strength over the coming years. With myself and Pete coming together, I feel we have a really unique offering that can help us push on and set a new standard both on and off the track.”

“Motorsport has been a huge passion throughout my life and my involvement with the TOCA package and the BTCC has increased in recent years through Sam’s participation,” added Osborne. “The opportunity to build on David’s fantastic work at Motorbase Performance in partnership with Shaun is something I am motivated by.

“Last year, we forged a very successful partnership in the most difficult season British motorsport has arguably ever faced. To be able to take that work to a new level, combining the incredible expertise that Motorbase and AmD already have operationally is a really exciting opportunity.”

“It is a massive compliment to the entire team that Shaun and Pete wish to purchase the team and add to it, to push Motorbase to the next level,” concluded Bartrum, who founded Motorbase Performance.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed building this team from the ground up over the years and seeing it achieve tremendous success both on and off the track. I have to thank everyone associated with Motorbase over the years, including staff, drivers and our many partners, who have helped this team grow to become one of the top outfits in the BTCC paddock.

“I have a big birthday coming up next year and with that in mind, I think the time is right for Shaun and Pete to take over the reins and guide the team into a bright future.

“I wish the team all the best and good luck for the future. I won’t be too far away and will be watching Motorbase march on from the sidelines.” 

Further announcements regarding the team's driver line-up will be made in due course. 

At the end of a Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign like no other, it’s time to have your say on who was your top driver in 2020!

The Fans’ Driver of the Year, last won by Colin Turkington, will be chosen through a special poll that is now live on the official BTCC App, with users given the opportunity to log their vote when they next visit the app.

The driver who secures the most votes before 1 February 2021 – and consequently bags the coveted title – will then be announced.

Every person registered on the app will be eligible to vote for one of the 36 drivers who appeared on track during the latest campaign.

Simply head over to the BTCC App – available via the App Store and Google Play – and vote when asked.

BTC Racing is ready to mount a major challenge on the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, after announcing that title contender Josh Cook and Jack Sears Trophy winner Michael Crees will remain with the Brackley team for the forthcoming campaign.

Front-runner Cook will enter his third season driving for BTC and, with the continuity of remaining with the championship-challenging squad allied to the proven Honda Civic Type R FK8, he will head into 2021 as a real threat for the outright BTCC and Independents’ Trophy crowns.

The 29-year-old ended last season ninth in the overall standings with three race victories, despite early misfortune masking the true story of his pace and competitiveness, while placing sixth in the Independents’ Trophy with a hat-trick of class wins.

Crees returns alongside Cook, and the reigning Jack Sears Trophy title-holder is determined to become a regular top ten challenger in his second year with BTC Racing – his third season in total in the UK’s elite motor racing championship.

Claiming a dozen JST wins in 2020, the 37-year-old was also 12th in the Independents’ Trophy battle and raced to 13 outright points finishes.

“It really is fantastic to be able to announce that Josh and Michael are remaining with BTC Racing for the 2021 season in the BTCC,” said Team Owner and Team Principal, Steve Dudman. “Everyone knows Josh’s credentials as a multiple race-winner in touring cars, and we are all confident he will be able to mount a genuine challenge for the outright BTCC crown, as well as the Independents’ Trophy title.

“Michael really did come of age as a driver last year in his first season with us at BTC Racing and, when you consider he only started racing cars in 2017, his progress has been outstanding. Winning the Jack Sears Trophy was a great achievement and the target next year will certainly be for him to score regular overall points finishes and challenge for the outright top ten.”

“I am very happy to be part of BTC Racing again for 2021,” added Cook. “This will be my third season with the team and I’ve known a number of the crew since I joined, so I’m looking forward to working with them all again. I am equally delighted to be working with Michael again – he is a great team-mate. We work really well together and plan to push even harder in 2021.

“We had a difficult start to 2020 but we hit the second half of the year with three wins, multiple fastest laps and a pole position – we were back where we should have been. With the new management structure recently announced at BTC Racing, we are all even more determined to keep pushing forwards. Finally, a huge thank you to Steve Dudman for his continued support. I cannot wait to get back out in the car and get started.”

“I’m super excited to be staying with BTC Racing and competing in the BTCC again next season,” echoed Crees. “I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to my partners for coming together and making the deal happen and, of course, Team Principal Steve Dudman for his on-going support. It makes absolute sense for us to continue to work together to develop the team.

“At this point, I would like to also say a big thank you to my team-mate Josh Cook, who really brought me on this year; I have learnt so much from him, which massively developed me as a driver. I am buzzing and really looking forward to racing the same car for a second season, for the first time in my career. I would also like to say thank you to all of my sponsors and fans who have supported me along the way.”

Brands Hatch’s Indy circuit in Kent is scheduled to host the opening three rounds of the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship over the weekend of 3/4 April.

Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport will both embark upon new challenges in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship next year, after announcing that they are to part ways following seven successful seasons together.

Ingram made his BTCC debut with Speedworks in 2014, since when, the team has progressed from being a mid-grid outfit into a consistent front-runner, race-winner and title contender. Together, the combination has claimed 16 race wins, 41 podium finishes, four pole positions and 13 fastest laps – as well as back-to-back Independent Driver and Team crowns in 2017 and 2018.

Despite earnest efforts, conflicting commercial considerations have made it impossible to extend the partnership into an eighth consecutive campaign, and both Ingram and Speedworks plan to reveal more details regarding their respective 2021 BTCC programmes in the coming weeks.

“Speedworks was obviously my first team in the BTCC, and they quickly became like a family,” Ingram reflected. “I have a lot of very special memories from our time together. We’ve been on an amazing journey and have both done ourselves proud. It’s been such a fairytale story in a lot of respects, with so many milestones simultaneously achieved along the way – first podium, first pole position, first race win, first fastest lap, first title.
  
“I’m sad to be leaving, of course, but there’s no ill-feeling and I owe everybody at Speedworks a massive ‘thank you’ for our seven years together. We’ll still be good friends moving forward; we’ll just be wearing different team jackets.
 
“I can 100 per cent assure you that I will still be in the BTCC next year, and I have an exciting new project that I will be able to announce soon – so stay tuned!”

“Looking back over the past seven years, it’s been quite the ride, hasn’t it?” echoed Speedworks Team Principal, Christian Dick. “There’s a great deal of pride in what we’ve accomplished, with a lot of mutual goals reached together. In the early years, we consistently punched above our weight as an Independent team, and that of course secured us Manufacturer backing which has enabled us to take the next step and truly fight for the overall championship.

“Seven years is a long partnership by BTCC standards, and we grew together. It was an excellent relationship – Tom swiftly became part of the Speedworks family – and I look back now with nothing but very fond memories. We had a lot of great times together both on and off-track and Tom will remain a lifelong friend. We all wish him the very best in his new challenge, and I have absolutely no doubt that he will do a superb job wherever he ends up.”

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From marshals to fans to drivers to teams and everyone in between we would like to thank you for playing your part in the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

For the first time in the BTCC’s illustrious 62-year history, we competed without the tens of thousands of spectators lining the banks and filling the grandstands of the wonderful circuits that we visit up and down the country, but we have truly felt your enthusiasm and support in so many other ways.

We understand it has been a truly challenging year for so many people up and down the country, and indeed the world, and we sincerely hope that you are able to find some comfort during this festive season.

Congratulations to Michael Crees (Jack Sears Trophy), Laser Tools Racing (Independents’), Team BMW (Manufacturers’ and Teams’) and Colin Turkington (Goodyear Wingfoot) for all taking home season-long honours, but of course the biggest cheer must go to our new two-time champ Ash Sutton!

Let’s hope for a brighter 2021 and a return to the trackside for our wonderful fans! In the meantime, from everyone at the BTCC, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kent squad forms alliance with championship winning outfit

An all-new partnership between Team HARD. Racing and Laser Tools Racing has today (24 December) been confirmed, which will see the two squads pooling resources both on and off track for greater engineering and commercial benefits.

Whilst the two outfits will remain as separate teams under different sets of team management, the alliance will now operate seven cars between them.

Reigning champion Ash Sutton will spearhead the Infiniti Q50 rear-wheel drive three-car attack for Laser Tools Racing – alongside Aiden Moffat and Carl Boardley – with the latter switching from the BMW 1 Series.

Team HARD, meanwhile, will operate four newly built Cupra Leons and has already confirmed Aron Taylor-Smith, Jack Goff and Glynn Geddie. A yet-to-be-announced driver will complete the line-up in the new year.

The partnership will form a very special collective, utilising each other’s resources and expertise to produce world class engineering, commercial and corporate rewards for both squads.

With Laser Tools Racing fielding the new three-car Infiniti entry and Team HARD building and running four new Cupra Leons, the collaboration will also see a host of new staffing added to the existing pool of knowledge from both teams.

Tony Gilham, Team HARD. Racing Managing Director, said: “Ash and Aiden are a formidable pairing and so to be able to keep these guys together is vital to the commercial side of the operation and following the successes of 2020, it is a very solid platform on which to build on.

“Both these guys are amazing young talents and a big part of the future of the BTCC. So, to have them working with us is a very proud moment. This is an essential part of the package as we at Team HARD aspire to keep developing and improving as a team, and there is no better way to learn than working with the best in the business.

“Working alongside the guys from Laser Tools Racing will help us move closer to our end goal and with the addition of many new faces to our side of the line-up, we feel we are in the best shape possible to compete at the front as soon as the new season starts.

“A long-term friendship and working relationship with Laser Tools Racing Team Principal Bob Moffat has developed over the last few years, and the time is now right to build something very special together as we head towards the new hybrid era. We have often talked about how we could team up and now we have taken the step to do just that.”

Bob Moffat, Laser Tools Racing Team Principal, said: “Having worked commercially with both BMR and Tony Gilham at Team HARD for a number of years, and with our team's amazing success in 2020, I feel that now is the time to elevate Laser Tools Racing to another level.

“With Tony Gilham's experience and energy, and Team HARD's reputation for providing first rate corporate hospitality, track day experiences and motorsport corporate entertainment, we are now in a very good position to offer both team sponsors and fans a world class experience in Britain's most prestigious motorsport series.”

Whilst Jack Goff, Glynn Geddie and Aron Smith have all recently commented on their excitement ahead of the 2021 season with Team HARD, the Laser Tools Racing trio of drivers had this to say…

Ash Sutton said: “2020 was a year to remember, a new car, a new team and three championships at the end of it. Breaking up that championship winning package wouldn’t have been a wise move, so to be flying the flag for Laser Tools Racing again in 2021 is absolutely mega! To continue working alongside Aiden again for next year means we can pick-up where we left off, but with the added bonus of getting stuck into a testing programme over the winter.

“It's great to have the addition of Carl Boardley and Team HARD with us for the up-and-coming season. To have a third Infiniti on the grid will benefit in many ways, speeding up the development with the car, conditions and direction of setup changes throughout a weekend.

“My personal goal for next year is no different to the goal me and the crew set out for last season and that was to win. But this time we have the added bonus of already having raced at each track, which means we will be more prepared coming into each weekend and able to attack with a clearer direction of what we want.”

Aiden Moffat said: “2020 was certainly a year to remember! Ash delivered the championship for the team and I really started getting the feel of the car in the latter rounds, developing more confidence with every race. I’m looking forward to continuing improvements through 2021 and working with our new team.”

Carl Boardley said: “For me, to continue in the championship required a clear vision and a path in which to enable me to challenge with the front runners, especially after a somewhat frustrating season in the 1 series. With time and weather constraints limiting the testing pre-season and then the enforced COVID sabbatical, 2020 for us was almost ‘testing’ at the race weekends. Getting my hands on an Infiniti Q50 at this early stage provides us with a solid platform to prepare everything off track so we can hit the ground running when it all kicks off.”

The final Driver Spotlight is looking back on the season of 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion: Ash Sutton.

The only driver to contest the full 27-round campaign without a single retirement or non-classified result, Sutton secured points in every round but one, which resulted in him becoming a two-time BTCC titleholder and the first Independent driver to take the overall title since 2014.

The 26-year-old bagged the Infiniti Q50’s first-ever win, in round three at Donington Park, and drove the #116 machine to a total of ten podium finishes.

Driver Fact File

Power Maxed Car Care Racing’s decision to provide a number of drivers the opportunity to get on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship grid in 2020 saw Jess Hawkins contest the rounds at Norfolk’s Snetterton circuit.

Having qualified 22nd on the grid and carrying 45kg of success ballast, Hawkins would maintain her position during the first encounter and went on to improve one place during each of the successive races, breaking into the top 20 in her third BTCC contest. 

Driver Fact File

In the Ciceley Motorsport-run Mercedes-Benz A-Class’ final year in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Adam Morgan drove the #33 machine to its last victory in Britain’s premier motorsport series, securing third in the Independent Teams’ standings.

Morgan would take his only 2020 victory at his home track of Oulton Park, a circuit where he has often struggled previously, and finished in the points in every race completed during the campaign, consistently adding to his points tally to finish in the top ten in the overall title battle.

Driver Fact File

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) race winner Aron Taylor-Smith will return to the series with Team HARD. Racing, driving a third brand new Cupra Leon alongside Jack Goff and Glynn Geddie.

Taylor-Smith last competed in the series in 2017 driving for the MG RCiB Insurance Racing team and also took multiple wins driving the now retired Volkswagen CC. In 2018, Taylor-smith made the switch to GT racing taking a class win in the coveted Blancpain GT Sprint Cup Series before competing in the British GT championship in 2019.

Looking ahead to re-joining the BTCC grid, Taylor-Smith commented: “I am back and more ready than ever!

"Watching from the sidelines this year made me realise how much I miss the BTCC. It's a championship like no other and I was determined to get back on the grid for 2021. What I love about Tony is his passion to win, it's refreshing to be around, and I already know that I will feel right at home.

"The personnel that he has collected to join this project are amongst the best in the game, he's done an unbelievably good job with the Cupra. I can honestly say that I have never been this excited to go racing, it's going to be a great year!

"I actually want to thank both Tony and Warren for putting this package together for me, it's a big deal to return to the BTCC and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in at Brands."

Tony Gilham, Managing Director of Team HARD. Racing said: “I’m delighted to have Aron onboard with us for the 2021 campaign driving the all new Cupra Leon. He has proven race winning pedigree in the series and has always proved a match for any of his team-mates in the past which include multiple champions.

“It was important to acquire a strong driver line up this year to help develop our new car and to have three top line drivers at this stage is a brilliant result for the team. Aron will be joining good friend Jack (Goff) once again after the pair were team-mates in 2014. The fact that these guys have worked together before will really accelerate the development of the car and help get our season started on the front foot.

“All drivers including fellow team-mate Glynn (Geddie) will take on an extensive testing programme before the season opener to allow us to provide them with the platform to maximise their potential and the capabilities of our new machinery.

“I have full confidence that Aron will quickly get back into the groove of driving a front-wheel drive touring car after spending a few years away in GTs. It’s shaping to be our most positive season to date.”

Making his debut in 2011, Taylor-Smith completed six full seasons in the series, the last of which was in 2017 with the MG squad. Four years later and he will be looking to pick up from where he left off and mixing it at the sharp end of the grid in 2021.