News: Young line up highlights Motorbase's commitment to the future

Motorbase Performance has finalised its driver line-up for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship by taking on rising talent Matt Allison.

The capture of the 23-year-old's signature gives Motorbase one of the most talented and freshest line-ups on the grid and highlights the team's forward-thinking attitude. British GTC champion Allison will line up alongside 26-year-old Gareth Howell in the team's SEAT Toledo Cupras.

Team Principal David Bartrum said: "We have a desire to be the best and to succeed at the highest level. Matt has already got a British title under his belt and Gareth is a proven race-winner at this level despite not competing for a full season in recent years, so they have an unlimited amount of potential that together we're going to unleash on the BTCC.

"This will be only our second year in the championship and our aim is to show the established teams that we're not just in it to make up the numbers. Both our drivers have shown they can compete at the highest level – as Matt won the toughest category in the British GT championship last year – now it is up to us as a team to give them the machinery to get to the business end of the BTCC and stay there."

He added: "Motorbase Performance likes to plan ahead and not just think about what's happening today. We've now got two of the most talented young drivers available, cars that are proven machinery and enough expertise and knowledge among the team members to become a long-term serious player within touring car racing.

"The business side of motor racing isn't just about producing the best car, it's about producing the best drivers as well. We've got a chance now to prove we can do both!"

Allison, of Norwich, said: "Joining Motorbase Performance in the BTCC is a great opportunity for me and I feel very privileged to be given the chance.

"The team's full of top experienced personnel and it'll be my job early on to learn as much as I can from everyone. I'm going to be like a human leach, sucking as much knowledge as possible out of people."

Although Allison is new to touring cars, he's fully versed in the cut and thrust world of saloon car racing having tasted considerable success in the frenetic Renault Clio Cup – he was third in the championship in 2005 and later that year took the £10,000 prize that went with the Clio Cup Winter Series.

Motorbase will now get him up to speed behind the wheel of his number 23 Toledo Cupra in a series of tests before the start of the 2007 season – at Brands Hatch on April 1.

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