Long-time British Touring Car Championship racer Ollie Jackson has decided to leave the BTCC ahead of the 2023 season, following ten full seasons in the championship.
Jackson, 38, made his début in 2011 when he took part in two meetings with Triple Eight in a Vauxhall Vectra.
He moved to AmD Tuning for a full campaign in 2012, with the exception of missing the Knockhill round, before 2013 saw his first 30-race season and first drive in an NGTC machine, racing a Toyota Avensis for Speedworks Motorsport.
He switched to Welch Motorsport in a Proton Persona for 2014, before changing teams again in 2016, after a year out, with a move back to AmD to race an Audi S3.
Jackson stayed with AmD and the Audi for the next two seasons, yielding a maiden podium finish at Brands Hatch in 2018.
He made the move to Motorbase Performance in 2019 to race a Ford Focus, and Jackson stayed there for the rest of his touring car career over the following four seasons.
In 2020, at the wheel of a new Ford Focus ST, Jackson enjoyed the best season of his career, winning two races and scoring three podiums on his way to 12th overall in the drivers’ championship standings.
In 2021, Jackson managed just six top ten finishes, and in 2022, there were only two results inside the top ten for the Surrey-based racer.
Jackson will now focus on racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, a season he previously raced full-time in during 2009 and 2010.
“I have had a great time in BTCC with Motorbase over the last four seasons, both with Mr [David] Bartrum and latterly the Osborne family, achieving my lifelong dreams of standing on the BTCC podium and winning races.
“Motorbase are a fantastic team, I’ve made many lifelong friends and they have provided me with great cars and great opportunities, but it was time for a change.
“I am supportive of the introduction of electrification into the sport, but the changes brought about by the hybrid system just haven’t suited me.
“Additionally, alongside my racing I do have a full-time job as Chief Engineer for Controlled Braking Technology at Alcon, as well as growing responsibilities within Mountune and other Motorsport related businesses I am involved in.
“Racing in BTCC and the unique commitments that surround it, requires time as well as a level of intensity and focus that I was going to struggle to reconcile with what is going to be a busy year ahead at work for me.
“Midway through last season I openly discussed my need for a new challenge with Pete [Osborne, Motorbase owner], we worked through some potential plans together that included a switch to a rear-wheel drive car within the team or a change to endurance racing.
“However, after considering several options, I feel the Porsche and the overall package it provides is the one that really excites me to go racing again.
“For me the enjoyment in racing comes from the feeling I get from the car on track and the challenge in myself. Yes, results are a bonus, but first and foremost it’s simply about enjoying each and every race.
“I am incredibly lucky to have the most loyal sponsors who fully support me in my decision and who will be making the transition with me, along with a few new brands that I am delighted to have on board and be working with.
“Pete Osborne and Motorbase have been extremely supportive of my decision, and we will continue to not only be great friends but work together closely through my role in Mountune who supply Napa Racing with the Ford EcoBoost engine.
“I wish Napa Racing and Mountune the very best of luck for the forthcoming season, I will certainly be cheering them on from the paddock.”
Pete Osborne wished Jackson well for his future back in sportscar racing on the TOCA bill.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Ollie over the last few years, and it’s a real shame to see him leave the team as he’s been a big part of it for so long,” said Osborne,
“Ollie and his family have been with, and around, Motorbase for many years with Porsche as well as the BTCC and we’ve enjoyed some great times together.
“We worked on a few alternative programmes which would have kept Ollie in the Motorbase family and maybe we’ll see him return to a Motorbase car again in the near future.
“For now, we wish Ollie all the best in his plans back in the Porsche paddock. We will continue to enjoy his involvement in the team in his role with Mountune, who continue to supply our BTCC engines.”