Tom Ferrier replaces Gareth Howell

Tom Ferrier will race for Motorbase Performance in this weekend’s (14-15 July) Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at Donington Park alongside Matt Allison. Ferrier replaces Gareth Howell who has separated with the team and, subject to funding, hopes to continue through the remaining races of 2007.

The 25-year-old from Bletchingley, Surrey showed great promise when he raced Motorbase’s SEAT Toledo in last year’s final rounds.

“Tom was always one of our key choices for this season,” said team boss David Bartrum. “He did a really good job for us at Silverstone last October, but as ever, it was all down to budget. I’m pleased to welcome him back into the team.”

Meanwhile, Howell said of his split with Motorbase: “It’s a vicious circle. We needed to develop the car through testing to get further towards the front and out of the midfield melee, but we came back from each round with so much damage that then took all the time between races to repair. We’d then go out and experience the same problem all over again.”

He added: “It’s a real shame as Motorbase is a good team with a great bunch of guys who were great to work with, but as the season went on the odds just became more and more stacked against us.

“It just hasn’t worked out which happens in this sport – I have had a long think about this with David and we agree it would be better for all concerned to shake hands and go our separate ways.”