Martin Depper is looking at the 2017 season ‘with fresh eyes’ after announcing that he is switching to Motorbase Performance at the Autosport International Show.
Depper has raced for Eurotech Racing for the past three seasons, becoming well acquainted with the team’s Honda Civic car.
For 2017 though the 48-year-old will switch to the Kent-based Motorbase squad as part of a three-car line-up.
Depper explained that he is looking for a fresh start in the coming season, having only cracked the top ten on one occasion in 2016.
“I’m looking at this year with a fresh set of eyes and with a team that’s highly focussed,” said Depper to TouringCars.Net. “The front end of the grid is where all of the team is going to be focussed and that’s what we’re going to be looking forward to.
“Unfortunately luck wasn’t on my side last year and I had nine DNFs, which left me scratching my head thinking how I could have got caught up in something like that.
“The team is highly focussed and they’ve got one objective. I didn’t really achieve what I wanted to achieve last year in terms of results; it started really well but the season sort of went away from me, so I’m really looking forward to this year.”
Depper will line-up alongside potential title contender Mat Jackson and rookie racer Luke Davenport, giving the Motorbase team a mixture of talent and experience.
Given the chance, Depper admits he would like to be able to help his team-mate to secure the title in 2017 if his assistance was required.
“The more I can do [to help Mat] the better,” added the Midlands racer. “I’ve known Mat for many years, he is one of those touring car greats in my mind. It would be great to help him achieve his ultimate goal which is the championship. He’s got very close [in the past] and I think it would be really great to be as close as we can, but I’ll absolutely be his wing man!
“I was with AJ [Andrew Jordan] in 2014, but that was my first real season of touring cars. Mat was right at the front and I was obviously down the other end and moving up. That’s not going to be what this is like this year.
“I’m looking forward to using that experience and getting as close to Mat as possible but obviously helping the team achieve the results that they’re looking for.”