Kent youngsters Jake Hill and Tom Grainger got to test the Motorbase Performance S2000 Ford Focus ST at Brands Hatch, thanks to Team Principal David Bartrum.
Ginetta GT Supercup racer Jake, son of ITV4 commentator Simon is known to the team due to the Ginetta GT Supercup supporting the British Touring Car Championship and for Hill, the test marked his first time in a Front Wheel Drive car.
“I got the news about the test two weeks ago and couldn’t believe it, I was totally shell-shocked!” said Jake. “Hardly anyone gets the chance to drive a touring car so I feel very privileged and grateful to David Bartrum and Motorbase for giving me this opportunity.
“Considering this is my first time in a front wheel drive car, I’m quite pleased with how it’s gone! Everyone in the team has been really professional and helpful; Aron’s helped me massively with the car and Mat’s been giving me advice on the track and the S2000 has been mega! I’ve loved every minute of it and can’t thank David and the team enough.”
Grainger is known to the team as he is a volunteer for the team two days a week alongside his studies at Brooklands College, where he is studying for a qualification in Motorsport Engineering.
The Sidcup based 18 Year Old has spent the 2012 campaign in the MG Metro Cup, which he won the title in a car bought for £900. The jump into the S2000 Ford Focus came about after Bartrum said he’d give Grainger a test if he won the title.
“To be honest, I thought the test was a bit of a wind up! When David said if you win the Metro Cup I’ll give you a test in the touring car I thought he was joking!” said Tom. “It’s been an amazing experience, and one I never dreamed that I would get.”
“The test went really well, it was my first time ever on slicks and driving a car with a sequential gearbox so it took a little getting used to” he added. “It was a bit weird actually being in the car though; I’m usually the one taking the wheels off – not driving it!”
The car took its third victory of the 2012 campaign during the season finale at Brands Hatch and Bartrum was pleased to offer the two Kent youngsters a chance to sample the S2000 Ford Focus ST.
“We’ve given a couple of young drivers, at different stages of their careers, a chance to sample a touring car,” explained David Bartrum, boss of the Wrotham-based team. “We’re a Kent-based team and these are two young lads from Kent. Tom is starting out and Jake is battling to climb the racing ladder – neither of them is short of talent, just finance.”
Motorbase Performance only joined the British Touring Car Championship in 2006 and Bartrum, a former Ford Saloon racer knows and appreciates how hard it is for young racers to break into motorsport.
“We’re a relatively young team ourselves, and it’s tough out there for young drivers to get the breakthrough they sometimes need.”
“I believe as a Kent team with young talent in the county it is our duty to give them a chance to get some exposure,” continues Bartrum. “It was great to see the four of them out there on track today; you’ve got Mat Jackson at the top of his career winning races in the BTCC and Aron Smith who’s just completed a very successful first year in Touring Cars alongside these two young local lads, showing them the ropes. “
“It’s been a pleasure having Jake and Tom here with us today and they’ve surprised me to be honest!” concluded Motorbase boss Bartrum. “They’ve both been a joy to work with; they’ve listened and followed instructions very well and done exactly what was asked of them.”
“It doesn’t mean they will be touring car drivers for us next season, but it will give them an association with the team and it will give them experience of racing at that top level that they wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere.”