British Touring Car Championship 2008

HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship - Round Nine
Silverstone, August 31, 2008
Event Preview

Motorbase Seeking Silverware at Silverstone

Motorbase Performance BMW team principal David Bartrum has developed a taste for trophies, and wants more from Silverstone this weekend to satisfy his hunger.

The previous round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill saw Rob Collard secure two more pieces of silverware for the team to add to the one collected by Steven Kane at Snetterton earlier in the season.

While pleased with the brace of second places Bartrum is now setting his sights on the top step of the podium and securing Motorbase Performance BMW's first race win in the BTCC.

The famous Northamptonshire circuit could provide the ideal opportunity. The short National layout will mean high speeds and plenty of side-by side race action – with a high probability some established runners will not make it to the finish line as a result.

Motorbase Performance BMW drivers Collard and Kane have both proved extremely competitive in race trim over the past few events, and will be looking to take advantage of any opportunity to grab the victory demanded by their team boss.

However, no risks will be taken that could jeopardise solid points finishes for both Motorbase cars - as with only 13 points separating the Kent-based squad from rivals Team Air Cool in third spot in the Independent Teams championship every place will count towards overturning that deficit.

Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum said:
"It was great to pick up another podium finish at Knockhill and we obviously want to keep that momentum going at Silverstone. We're going into two races at Silverstone and Brands Hatch that we consider to be 'home' rounds for Motorbase and we will have lots of support at both, so we want to give the best account of ourselves that we can. It will be interesting to see how everyone goes because I'm not sure how many of the other teams have tested here, but it could be more of a level playing field given that it wasn't on the calendar last year. We've achieved one of the two objectives we set ourselves for the second half of the season with both drivers having taken podium places, now we just have to complete the other and take a race win. It's an ambitious target but we're an ambitious team, and we want to be in a position next season where we are always in contention for the top three places."

Motorbase Performance Team Driver Steven Kane said:
"This is effectively my home race and I really like the circuit, so I'm confident of putting in a good performance. The last round at Knockhill was a difficult one for me because having started further down the grid than I would have liked in the first race it left me playing catch up for the rest of the day. The car felt good in the last race though so if we can replicate that at Silverstone we should be in with a good chance. Qualifying will be very important but we should have a good shot at doing well in it at Silverstone because there are a lot of fast corners and that will suit the BMW."

Motorbase Performance Team Driver Rob Collard said:
"Same again for me please! I was really happy with two solid points finishes and a second place at Knockhill, so if I can put in a similar showing at Silverstone I'll be delighted. The BMW was excellent last time out and both Steven and I have been really quick off the line in the last few events, so if we can get good grid position in qualifying we'll give ourselves a great chance of scoring well once again."

Event Information

Silverstone Circuit
Northamptonshire
NN12 8TN

Location : next to A43, from J15A M1 or J10, M40

Tel: 08704 588 200

Website: www.silverstone.co.uk

Length: 1.64 miles
Number of laps: 22
Race Distance: 36.08 miles

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