Motorbase Performance re-sign Jackson & Smith for 2013

Motorbase Performance are plotting a full BTCC title assault in 2013 after re-signing Mat Jackson and Aron Smith to race a pair of Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) Ford Focus STs.

David Bartrum’s squad enters its first full season as a constructor with consistency in its driver line-up, with multiple race winner Jackson, 31, partnered by 23-year-old Smith, who took his maiden win at the 2012 season finale at Brands Hatch.

The Kent-based team has completed a second Focus ST to run alongside the car raced from Snetterton onwards last year, again powered by a Ford 2.0 litre turbocharged engine built by Mountune Racing.

But in a move which had looked increasingly likely towards the end of last season, Liam Griffin has parted ways with the BTCC arm of the team, with GT racing his likely destination.
Team principal Bartrum says he expects a fight for overall honours this year.

He said: “We’re incredibly excited about this season. It’s great to be starting the season with two drivers that know the team so well – consistency is key at such an important time with our own car, and it means we can get straight to work.

“With Mat and Aron both back on board, I believe we have one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.

“Mat has shown his BTCC pedigree over past few years and with the new NGTC up to speed, I fully expect him to be right up there battling for the 2013 title.

“It’s also great to have Aron back in the Motorbase family. He had a great debut season last year, finishing on a high, and with a new NGTC under him I’m sure there’s much more to come.

“The NGTC exceeded everyone’s expectations last year, and with the work and developments we’ve made over the winter I’m confident that we will be serious title contenders in 2013.”

This year will be Jackson’s fourth season with the Motorbase squad and his seventh in the BTCC.

He said: “2012 was a season of two halves for us, with the latter part focussed on developing and testing the new NGTC with the view that 2013 would be a key year for the team and myself.

“The NGTC programme has been an exciting project to be involved with and what we achieved in 2012 was epic. In the space of 80 days we took the car from the drawing board to race wins, and this has given us a great platform to start from. I believe we have a car that can challenge for the main title in 2013.”

After improving his pace consistently throughout the year, Smith ended 2012 as a bona fide front runner.

He said: “Your first season is always a tricky one because you’re very conscious you need to prove yourself, so that was an added bit of pressure.

“The best part about last season was being with Motorbase – everyone made me feel right at home and helped me develop into a touring car driver.

“I don’t think people realise how big a transition it is into the BTCC so it’s nice to know I don’t have as big a learning curve ahead of me this year and that everyone at Motorbase is behind me.
“I think this season will be a great one to be part of as all the major teams have converted to the NGTC regulations which can only mean one thing – some great racing.

“Before Christmas I got my first taster of the NGTC Focus and was blown away by it. Since then the team have been flat out developing it even further, so I can’t wait to start testing once again.”