News: Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 2007
The 2007 BTCC is set to be an absolute classic, with more cars on the grid than at any time in the recent history of the most important race championship in Britain.
Two of the additions to the field will come from Motorbase Performance as the team completes the step up into the BTCC. Equipped with a pair of SEAT Toledos, the Kent-based team is expecting a very competitive debut season at this level after signing two very promising young racers.
Gareth Howell is an established BTCC race winner and is determined to make the very most of the chance to contest a full BTCC season. Matt Allison, meanwhile, moves across to the BTCC and winning in British GT last season.
The opening weekend of the season (March 31/April 1) will be a massive test for everyone at Motorbase, as the team is also fielding a very strong three-car team in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. No other team is competing at this level in the BTCC and the Carrera Cup, but the experience and determination at Motorbase means that the team is equal to the challenge ahead.
"Starting the season at Brands is fantastic but it brings a lot of pressure for us," said team boss David Bartrum. "We're a Kent-based team, Gareth Howell is from Kent and Matt Allison is from just over in Norfolk, so we're very much a south of England team. We want to establish ourselves as a touring car team this year."
Bartrum reckons he's got two good young drivers in Howell and Allison. "Matt has got a lot of front wheel drive experience and he's a very level-headed 23-year old. In Gareth, we've got a proven BTCC race winner who will drive the car as fast as it will go."
Matt will benefit enormously from the mentorship of former BTCC champion Tim Harvey, now the expert commentator for TV coverage of the championship as well as a leading contender for the Porsche Carrera Cup title. "Tim will be a great source of support and encouragement for Matt and we're delighted that he'll be around the team again this year," said Bartrum.
Now, after a winter of hard work it is time to go racing again. All five cars from the Motorbase Performance stable will be in the thick of the action this weekend at Brands. It is going to be quite a season for the team from Kent.
Other news reports:
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- Motorbase Confirms Thruxton Return »
- Motorbase Performance Carrera Cup Report, Knockhill: 1/2 September »
- BTCC Rounds 22, 23 & 24: Consistency the key for Motorbase Performance »
- Competing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB: 18/19 August »
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- Motorbase Performance Carrera Cup Report, Donington Park: 28/29 July »
- BTCC Rounds 19, 20 & 21: Consistency the key for Motorbase Performance »
- Competing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB: 28/29 July »
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- Motorbase Performance Carrera Cup Report, Croft: 2/3 June »
- BTCC Rounds 10, 11 & 12: Howell scores season's best for Motorbase Performance »
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- Motorbase Performance Carrera Cup Report, Thruxton: 5/6 May »
- BTCC Rounds 7, 8 & 9: High flying Motorbase Performance denied success at Thruxton »
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- Motorbase Performance Carrera Cup report, Rockingham: 21/22 April »
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- 13 March 2006: Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain: Harvey, Caine and Quaife for Motorbase »
- 28 February 2006: Integra "A Beauty" Raves Pinkney After First Test »
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