News 2008: Record-Breaking Motorbase Plans Ahead

Motorbase Performance BMW has achieved another milestone after winning the overall team trophy at the final round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship 2008.

The Kent-based team enjoyed its best-ever weekend in the BTCC by collecting five trophies at local circuit Brands Hatch, including three podiums and an independent win.

Since then a search of the record books by championship co-ordinator Dan Mayo revealed that Motorbase Performance BMW is the first independent outfit to take the overall team trophy at a race weekend since Team Dynamics at Silverstone in 2006.

The accolade represents another step forward in competitiveness for David Bartrum's squad, which made swift progress in 2008 and is looking to be among the front-runners right from the start of the 2009 season.

With that in mind, Bartrum has already began working hard to ensure success.  Last weekend he attended the Swedish Touring Car Championship finale at Mantorp Park, and this weekend he will make another fact-finding trip to the World Touring Car Championship at Monza.

Later this month Motorbase Performance BMW will also begin testing to consolidate what they learned in 2008 and prepare for the season ahead - and may also trial drivers who could potentially fill a third seat for the team in 2009.

Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum said:
"It was such a pleasant surprise to find out we had won the overall team trophy at Brands Hatch because we hadn't targeted it.  The fact that no other independent team has won it for two years just shows what an achievement it is.  It's a great result for the team and a good indication of the progress we've made since the start of the season.  It also underlines all the hard work we've put in and meant a lot to the guys in the garage.  We are absolutely determined it won't be the last time we win it either and will be looking to collect more next year."