Renowned motor racing team Motorbase Performance, with support from key sponsors NAPA and Wera Tools, has today (14 February) launched an exciting ‘Young Driver Programme’ with the aim of bringing the brightest and best talent through the ranks and into the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Motorbase has a glowing history of supporting outstanding drivers, providing debut BTCC tests or races for a raft of talent including current NAPA Racing UK duo Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton, BTCC race winner Rory Butcher, multiple British GT Champion Jonny Adam and rising star Jack Mitchell.

Now, the Wrotham-based squad has established a ladder of progression which can take drivers all the way from the junior levels of karting and up into touring cars. Partnering with JWB Motorsport and Assetto Motorsport, the programme will enable racers to graduate from karts into the Ginetta Junior Championship, MINI CHALLENGE and TCR UK en route to Britain's premier motorsport series.

Aimed at drivers who begin their careers at a very young age, significantly the programme also provides key opportunities for aspiring team personnel – often an overlooked area where openings within the sport are concerned.

From race mechanics and engineers through to HGV drivers, commercial and marketing roles, plus everything in between, the alliance of all three teams opens the chance for individuals to progress their careers within the motor racing industry and provides the opportunity to bring fresh young talent into the BTCC paddock.

“I’m delighted to launch such an exciting Young Driver Programme," said Pete Osborne, Team Owner and Team Principal. "It’s something incredibly exciting to be part of along with Assetto and JWB and it is also something very close to my heart. We have all been working on this for a while now, so it’s great to see it coming to fruition.

“Motorbase has a great history of supporting young drivers in their motorsport careers and we’re now taking that ethos to another level. We have already signed-up Matt Wilson and Harri Reynolds, and there are more to come. I’m in the process of seeing my two sons’ driving careers going through the ranks, so I know just how important these opportunities are.

“Trusting and reliable relationships within motorsport are important and we feel that between the three teams we can offer a complete package for young talent. In my experience it’s as important to offer this kind of opportunity to team members as well as drivers, after all that’s what makes the team. We’re as proud of our drivers as our crew when they make the jump to the next level, so hopefully this programme will produce part of the future of talented drivers and team members.”