Motorbase Performance has ignited an ambitious challenge on the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship confirming Mat Jackson’s return to the squad alongside 2013 champion Andrew Jordan.
2016 marks Jackson’s seventh consecutive year with the Wrotham-based squad after a sensational return to the BTCC grid for the second half of the 2015 season that saw Jackson and Motorbase amass an incredible seven independent race wins, four outright wins and four further podiums in just four race weekends.
Running under the Motorbase Performance banner for the 2016 campaign, Jackson returns to the grid in the #7 Ford Focus ST with backing from DUO and completes David Bartrum’s formidable driver line-up partnered with new signing Andrew Jordan in the #77 Pirtek Racing Focus.
David Bartrum, Motorbase Performance Team Principal, commented: “We're obviously delighted to have Mat back on board for his seventh year with us. Hopefully the number 7 will prove to be our lucky number this year with Mat racing back under his number 7 and Andrew as 77!
“We've known Mat for a long time and enjoyed one of our best periods together at the end of last season so the aim now is to carry that momentum on into this year and to focus on challenging at the front as soon as the first flag drops. There’s work to be done, particularly around the new suspension, but I can honestly say that if I was asked to pair two drivers together then Mat and Andrew would be my first choice all day long. They both tested with us at the end of last year and worked well together; there’s a great dynamic between them so I'm looking forward to seeing how they will bounce off of each other’s experience as time goes on.
“They may be in different coloured cars but they are very much team-mates and equal parts of the Motorbase stable. We have a great team behind them, so now is our time to shine.”
A name familiar to many through its various motorsport partnerships, DUO operates internationally providing specialist material processing systems to the construction industry from its Coventry headquarters and has extended its partnership with Motorbase and Mat Jackson for the 2016 season.
“It’s great to welcome back DUO for a full challenge on the BTCC,” continued Bartrum. “DUO has a great outlook on business and combines it well with motorsport and I'm looking forward to our relationship growing stronger as the season progresses. It’s thanks to DUO's support that Mat will become Motorbase Performance’s longest serving driver.”
Mat Jackson said: “It is great to be returning with Motorbase for 2016 and to be able to carry on from last year’s performance and mount our assault on the championship. I have to say huge thanks to DUO and to Motorbase for their continued loyalty and it’s fantastic to be able to bring DUO in for a full season this year.
“We’ve got an extensive testing programme planned which starts today, and with the new regulations it will be more important than ever before to get a head start as the season kick off at Brands in April.”
Alex Moss, CEO of DUO said: “We are delighted to be working with Motorbase Performance for what will be our first full partnership year after successfully working with the team in the later part of the season last year. We had three excellent performances with Mat Jackson which has led to our association and partnership. As a business we already support several top level drivers within the sport, and the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is going from strength to strength, so the decision to get involved was an easy one to take. Motorbase Performance are a winning team and we are delighted to be working with them. For us to be part of a driver’s career as they progress through the ranks is something that we are proud to be part of."
Motorbase Performance launched its 2016 pre-season testing programme today (February 11) at its local circuit Brands Hatch ahead of the opening rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on the Indy layout on April 2/3.
The full 2016 Motorbase Performance livery design and new partners will be revealed at the official BTCC Season Launch to be held at Donington Park on March 22.
