Three TOCA Series Champions tested for Motorbase Performance at Snetterton as a reward for their 2014 Championship successes, during a two day test for the Wrotham-based squad.
Supporting the three Champions was Mat Jackson, who took the Ford Focus to two overall victories and five other podiums as he finished 4th in the overall BTCC Championship.
Speaking about the test – which saw both Bushall and Kruger get 20 laps each in the car – Jackson said: “The guys did very well over the two days and they each had a very good approach to the test” said Jackson. “Clearly each of the drivers are in different stages of their career but they all came across very well. They all have the natural ability so my input was more based around procedural information.
“The BTCC cars are different to most race cars and have their quirky ways, so they needed a little confidence in understanding how the car moves and behaves, and I obviously helped them when we were going through the data with them between runs” added the Airwaves Racing driver. “I wish them all the best of luck in whatever route they choose to take.”
Mike Bushall – the 2014 Courier Connections Clio Cup Champion – has previous experience of racing in the BTCC having made his debut at Knockhill in 2013, driving the Chevrolet Cruze built by IP Race Tech for Andy Neate.
He is eyeing up a return to the series in 2015 and he was impressed with the Motorbase Ford Focus compared to the Chevrolet Cruze.
“The Focus is very different to the Chevy which was very understeery [sic]” said the Renault Clio Cup Champion. “The Motorbase Focus was much more nimble, especially at slow-mid speeds and with maybe a little too much over-steer for my liking in the high speed!”
“I was surprised at how easy it was to take the life out of the soft tyre in a long run. That was a very valuable lesson learned for me on the test as I may not get the chance to experience this in Winter testing should the BTCC dream become a reality” added Bushell. “It’s definitely the target for 2015 and at moment looking very likely. Watch this space!”
“I’m extremely grateful for getting the experience. Thanks to Motorbase Performance, Dunlop & Renault, it feels like Christmas has come early today!”
Jadye Kruger – the provisional Dunlop MSA Formula Ford of Great Britain Champion – got his test with the team via an initiative with Dunlop Tyres and the 26 year old returned to racing with a roof over his head for the first time in 10 years.
“It was good, a little difficult, but good. It’s quite different with a change from rear to front wheel drive, and having a roof over my head, but on the whole it was a great experience.”
“It was nice to work with a good team like Motorbase, and I must say a big thank you to Dunlop, Motorbase and Ford for a great opportunity and hopefully something that will stand me in good stead for the future.”
Ginetta Junior Champion Jack Mitchell got to test the Motorbase Performance Ford Focus at Snetterton the following day, as a bonus to winning the title as part of the Motorbase Performance young driver programme.
“Obviously I was nervous getting into the car for the first time but everyone in the team made me feel that bit more confident and having familiar faces around me certainly helped,” said an elated Mitchell after his first run in the car.
“Mat was a big help today as he has been all year. I didn’t really feel under pressure to perform as that wasn’t what the test was about; I wasn’t here to set a really fast time but just to experience the BTCC car at my own pace and improve as the day went on and the team did a great job in helping me to do that.”
Mitchell concluded; “I would like to thank everyone at Motorbase and especially Mat [Jackson] for today. It’s been a fantastic experience, and one which I hope will help me in the future.”
Oly Collins, Motorbase Performance Team Manager is pleased to be a part of the BTCC package as the team have successfully run their young driver programme alongside the Dunlop Tyres prize initiative.
“These test days once again show the fantastic level of support and commitment Dunlop Tyres give to the BTCC package and support series as a whole, and Motorbase Performance is very proud to be a part of it,” Collins said.
“All the drivers approached the test very well. They’re obviously all talented drivers as their Championship successes have shown and the test was a reward for that. So in that respect we knew we had three very competent drivers with us. We threw them in at the deep end in a car and team environment which they’re not used to and they all proved to cope extremely well. Feedback was extremely good and their pace and understanding of the BTCC car was very impressive in such a short amount of time” he added.
“We have to say thanks to Dunlop for supporting a test like this, offering young talented drivers the chance to try a different type of race car and hopefully help them on their way in their careers. We wish the drivers all the best for the future and we’re proud to have played a small part in what they will go on to achieve. Also, full credit must be given to Renault and Ford for backing this initiative by Dunlop and Motorbase Performance,” he concluded.