MOTORBASE SIGNS JACKSON AND SHREDDED WHEAT FOR ’17
Motorbase Performance has retained Mat Jackson for the 2017 British Touring Car Championship campaign and has revealed Shredded Wheat as the team’s new backer.
Jackson finished third in the standings this year in the team’s two-litre Ford Focus and he took five race wins from the 30 rounds. The deal with Nestle firm Shredded Wheat is a multi-year package.
Jackson said that he hoped getting the deal sorted out early would help the team hit the ground running in 2017.
Jackson said: “It is great to get this done early. We have a strong testing programme lined up and that means we should be able to be at the front from the very start of the season.
“We were very close last year and we just needed that last leg up. Tying up this deal with Shredded Wheat is a boost for everybody and it should be the last piece of the jigsaw we need to make the step forward.”
Team principal David Bartrum said that the near miss in the 2016 campaign has given the team extra motivation for the campaign to come.
“We’re very happy to announce that Mat will continue to spearhead our 2017 campaign. After having come so close to the overall drivers’ title last season, we also have our eyes on the overall prize. Mat’s pace is unquestionable and he has shown great consistency in recent years. He is a real asset and the perfect brand ambassador for Shredded Wheat.”
Motorbase Performance has already announced that it will operate three cars in the BTCC in 2017. No other drivers are confirmed yet.
British Formula 4 champion Max Fewtrell will graduate to the Formula Renault Eurocup next season, driving for the Tech 1 Racing squad.
The 17-year-old had taken part in the series’ rookie test in October with the team and will now race in the revamped category next year. Renault has decided to invest heavily in the series and the top two drivers will become members of the Renault Sport Academy.
“It’s exciting news, I’m looking