A new chapter awaits Motorbase Performance in the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, following today’s (7 January) announcement of the formal acquisition of the Kent-based squad by AmD Tuning Managing Director, Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne.
The resulting change in management sees long-time Team Principal, David Bartrum, step aside after a tremendously successful period leading the organisation’s on-track operation for nearly two decades.
Founded in 2004, Motorbase has enjoyed widespread success in the BTCC, British GT – taking the championship title in 2012 – and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. It has claimed 109 podiums in the BTCC since joining the grid in 2006, clinching the 2016 Independent Teams’ crown and finishing as Independents’ runner-up in 2020.
The squad will continue to run under the Motorbase Performance banner with its core operational staff, including experienced Team Manager Oly Collins alongside AmD’s Technical Director Rob Tickner, and will still operate out of its workshop in Wrotham, Kent.
Inbound Team Principal, Hollamby and Managing Director, Osborne, are incredibly excited to be building on this success moving forward, having already forged a winning partnership in 2020 within the BTCC at MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square.
Hollamby, who has driven forward the successful AmD Tuning operation within Britain’s elite motorsport series over the past decade, took to the track himself in 2010 and sporadically in 2011 and 2013, and his efforts have since centred on building one of the series’ most respected Independent entries. Enjoying continued growth over the last decade, this success was highlighted by the team securing the Independent Teams’ Championship in 2019 and supporting Rory Butcher in claiming the Independent Drivers’ title and Jack Sears Trophy in the same year.
A racer in his own right, Osborne has been a familiar face within the British motorsport community for a number of years, initiating from his own participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and most recently through his support of his son, Sam, in his transition into the BTCC in 2019.
The new management team will build upon the excellent work of Motorbase Performance in 2020, following the squad’s hugely successful build and introduction of the fourth-generation Ford Focus ST. Taking five race wins, eleven podiums and two pole positions across the latest campaign, hopes are high heading into the forthcoming season.
“For me personally, this is closing one chapter in my involvement with the BTCC as well as starting a new one,” reflected Hollamby. “We had some great times as AmD Tuning in this amazing championship and I want to thank everybody involved through all those years. Every season, we have grown in stature and that has led us to what we are able to do today.
“Motorbase Performance is synonymous with everything that is great about the BTCC and a huge deal of credit must go to David [Bartrum] and his team for what they have achieved. Their work gives us a great foundation to build on, as we hope to go from strength-to-strength over the coming years. With myself and Pete coming together, I feel we have a really unique offering that can help us push on and set a new standard both on and off the track.”
“Motorsport has been a huge passion throughout my life and my involvement with the TOCA package and the BTCC has increased in recent years through Sam’s participation,” added Osborne. “The opportunity to build on David’s fantastic work at Motorbase Performance in partnership with Shaun is something I am motivated by.
“Last year, we forged a very successful partnership in the most difficult season British motorsport has arguably ever faced. To be able to take that work to a new level, combining the incredible expertise that Motorbase and AmD already have operationally is a really exciting opportunity.”
“It is a massive compliment to the entire team that Shaun and Pete wish to purchase the team and add to it, to push Motorbase to the next level,” concluded Bartrum, who founded Motorbase Performance.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed building this team from the ground up over the years and seeing it achieve tremendous success both on and off the track. I have to thank everyone associated with Motorbase over the years, including staff, drivers and our many partners, who have helped this team grow to become one of the top outfits in the BTCC paddock.
“I have a big birthday coming up next year and with that in mind, I think the time is right for Shaun and Pete to take over the reins and guide the team into a bright future.
“I wish the team all the best and good luck for the future. I won’t be too far away and will be watching Motorbase march on from the sidelines.”
Further announcements regarding the team's driver line-up will be made in due course.
