Motorbase boss David Bartrum pleased with new measures for 2015
Motorbase Performance team boss David Bartrum has praised the new rules which have been introduced by BTCC series bosses ahead of the 2015 season, and says the closeness of the grid proved that “no drastic measures” were needed.
Bartrum saw his team return to the top of the podium in 2014, with long-serving driver Mat Jackson taking victories at Knockhill and Silverstone in the second full season for the Ford Focus ST.
And thoughts have already turned to 2015, both on and off the track. Former Porsche Carrera Cup driver Alex Martin has already signed to drive one Focus ST under the Dextra Racing banner, while work continues behind the scenes to replace outgoing title sponsor Airwaves, and fill the seats in the other two cars.
Bartrum took time out to tell TouringCarTimes about his take on the rule changes, and how the team is preparing for next season.
TcT: Do you think the new BTCC rules will help balance the performance between front and rear-wheel drive machinery?
They should do, yes. To be quite honest I’ve not been one of complainers about the disparity between front and rear-wheel drive. I think the rear-wheel drive cars hit a purple patch mid-season and Colin got the march on everyone. He had the ability to qualify it well on circuits which should have really been a weak circuit for them, like Silverstone for example, then start well and control things from there. Clearly the rear-wheel drive cars had a big advantage on starts which needed addressing, which I believe TOCA have a good solution for. And they handle their ballast well, so what TOCA are doing seems to be enough. No real drastic measures were needed, it’s as close as it’s ever been.
TcT: Are there any of the new rules which you think might have a particular positive/negative effect on your Ford Focus?
Not really, some circuits suit some cars, some circuits suit others. The way we’ve set our car up, it seems the Focus likes high speed circuits like Silverstone, Thruxton and Snetterton to a certain extent. RWD cars seem to suit Croft, Knockhill and Snetterton. The 888 cars were great at qualifying. Each car format and layout has its own strengths and weaknesses, that’s what makes the BTCC so interesting to watch. If we wanted a championship where all the cars perform the same we would be in a single make formula, wouldn’t we?
TcT: How much input as a team boss were you able to have in the creation of the new rules?
We all have the same level as input as each other, more on the sporting regs than anything else at our teams’ meeting. This covers a small element of technical decisions and race format ideas, The technical regs are decided by a working group of engineers with the odd team owner and driver involved in the decision making. It works well. Sure, we often disagree for our own benefit, but it’s managed well and seems to get the job done.
TcT: You’ve already signed one driver for 2015. How are preparations going for the campaign, and could we expect any more announcements in the near future, either about drivers or sponsors?
Plans are going well. We’ve done a few tests since the season ended, including some good testing time for Alex to get used to the BTCC car, which has gone very well. He has been learning fast and has managed to get a lot of miles under his belt already. We also had the Dunlop champions’ test with Mike Bushell and Jayde Kruger, as well as Jack Mitchell, which was really good to see just how good these guys are. We also have some car developments for next year which we’re really confident about – 2015 will be the year of the Focus!
After six great years with Airwaves we’re obviously busy talking with potential replacements, which is going well. We’re talking to some great brands and really looking forward to a new era for Motorbase. We’re talking with a variety of drivers about next year, all will be announced in good time. And that’s just the BTCC. We’re busy with the GT3 Astons as well. All in all 2015 should be an even better year. We can’t wait!
