Mat Jackson retains Motorbase drive for 2018
Mat Jackson will remain with the Motorbase Performance team for a ninth successive season in 2018 after being confirmed as the second driver in the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher line-up.
Jackson will team up with Tom Chilton in a two-car assault on the championship, with the pair switching to the new Ford Focus RS announced earlier today.
Although he secured his 31st career win on a difficult weekend for the team at Croft, Jackson finished eighth in the championship standings last season having challenged for the title twelve months earlier.
His focus now will be on pushing for the championship crown during the year ahead.
“It’s great to be back with Motorbase and Team Shredded Wheat with Gallagher for another crack at the Championship,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it immensely.
“I know that the guys have been hard at work over the winter to improve the pace of the car and there’s been a huge amount of hard work that’s gone in from their side.
“We’ve got a whole new set up this year with the RS and a new team-mate in Tom on-board for the season. It’s going to be an exciting season, and we’re hopeful that the changes will put us in good stead to battle for the BTCC title this year.”
Team Principal David Bartrum admitted his delight at retaining the services of Jackson for another season, and said he was confident that his new look line-up would do well on track in 2018.
“I’m really happy to continue with Mat alongside Tom this season, it’s a very strong line-up,” he said. “Mat has helped us get the car to where it is now and has been with us from the start of our NGTC journey so it seems fitting for him to join Tom in what should be our strongest campaign to date with the new Focus RS.
“Both Mat and Tom have fantastic proven track records which speak for themselves and they are both hungry to become the 2018 BTCC Champion. They have great respect for each other professionally and already get on well, which is great for the dynamic of the team.”
