Motorbase announce three car 2012 BTCC Campaign. 22.02.2012: Motorbase Performance have confirmed that they will be entering three cars in the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Motorbase Performance have confirmed that they will be entering three cars in the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.


The Kent based squad have also announced that both Mat Jackson and Liam Griffin are staying with the team, alongside newcomer Aron Smith who will campaign the third car.


Continuing with the S2000 Ford Focus and Mountune prepared NGTC turbocharged engine Dave Bartrum's team hope that consistency will pay dividends as other teams find their feet with all new machinery over the first few rounds of the upcoming season.


Former driver Bartrum said, "We're very excited about this year. We will be continuing with the same cars from last year which we learnt a lot from in our first season with them in 2011.


"We have been busy further improving over the winter, so to also keep the continuity of Mat and Liam as well is very important for us moving forward this year, and to welcome Aron to the team is fantastic."


22-year-old Smith who made a brief appearance in the BTCC last year at Knockhill gets his chance at a full season after recent testing with the team. Bartrum said, "Aron has settled straight in to the team and has impressed us all in testing. I'm sure he will be competitive very quickly this year."


After a disappointing end to the 2011 season which saw Jackson's chance of a first BTCC drivers title effectively disappear after three non-finishes at Knockhill - Bartrum hopes for a change of fortune, "Mat will be starting in a car he knows well which has been further improved so there is no reason why we can't mount a serious championship challenge as we did last year, but hope for some better luck in 2012!"

By Neil Tozer, also photo.