Motorbase Performance still targeting Snetterton return

David Bartrum says work to ensure Motorbase Performance will return to the BTCC grid at Snetterton is continuing at pace, ahead of a return to testing this week.

Mat Jackson and James Cole will take part in a full test day at Brands Hatch on Friday, the first time the team’s Focus STs have run since they announced their withdrawal from the first half of the championship in March.

Bartrum said work has not let up to get back on the grid, but it would all depend on securing the right commercial partner. Previous title sponsor Airwaves ended their association with the team at the end of the 2014 season.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes at Thruxton, Bartrum said: “It was a tough decision to make, but it was a commercial decision. If the funding’s not in place, you can’t do things.

“We need to be part of a sponsorship programme and work for a brand. There’s no point going around in circles for the sake of it.

“We’re a business and we have to look after our staff. We had the GT cars ready to go racing, so we pushed the button on that and had to take a step back on touring cars. We’ve not stopped working towards being back and we’ve not stopped working on the car.

“I’ve seen a lot of people and they’ve all been very supportive and understanding about why we didn’t come racing.”

One of the key differences to the Focus ST in 2015 is the addition of a new Ecoboost engine, which replaces the Duratec unit the team previously used.

Bartrum said feedback from lead driver Jackson has been key in convincing him he has a good car and engine for the future.

He said: “The car’s got the new Ecoboost engine in it now and it’s a good car – that’s the frustrating thing, and we need to get back to prove it.

“We spent quite a lot of money on it, and our engine partner Mountune have worked very hard for us and with us. I think if we can get back for the second half, we’ll know where we are with the engine for next year, and that’s the main thing.

“I sat down with Mat and told him we were looking very much on the back foot financially, and he said ‘I don’t need to test. Just take me to free practice one at Brands Hatch’. At that point he was giving up six test days. For me, that fills me with confidence as Mat’s been doing all the test driving.”

The team’s absence from the BTCC grid for the first time in nine years has given Bartrum the unusual opportunity to analyse the series from afar, including the new rules.

“It’s been interesting watching, and you can actually learn sometimes from not being part of it – particularly with the new weight and the soft tyre,” he said.

“It’s been interesting analysing it in a different manner, rather than on the hoof when you’re racing.”

But when asked on his thoughts on the changes, he added: “I think I’ll keep quiet until I’m on the grid!”