Cole’s ‘homecoming’ ahead of 2018 season
MOTOR RACING champion James Cole, from Southport, has rejoined Motorbase Performance and will campaign one of its Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher Ford Focus ST cars in the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
The 29-year-old former British Formula Ford Champion drove for the Kent-based outfit for half a season in 2015 and returns to the team after two years with the Team BMR/ Subaru manufacturer squad, where he scored his maiden BTCC pole position and race win last year.
Fresh from another successful winter tour with the Classic Rock Show, the gifted guitarist has been an integral part of Britain’s leading motor racing series since 2013 after moving into the tin-top arena fol- lowing a highly successful singleseater career.
Motorbase team principal David Bartrum said: “It’s great to welcome James back into the team. James was with us in 2015 for half a season during a very difficult year for us, so he has unfinished business with Motorbase.”
Cole said: “It’s fantastic to be back as part of the Motorbase line-up this year. I’ve never felt happier and more excited going into a new BTCC season. Thanks to David Bartrum for having the faith to welcome me back.”
Cole also stated that as he was coming back into the team as a BTCC race winner – he won at Rockingham last Summer – and with another two years of BTCC experience under his belt, it should “put me in good stead to have a proper crack this year”.
And he added: “It’s also great to be back working with James Mundy, my engineer from Formula Ford, it’s been 10 years since we last worked together so it feels like a homecoming!”
Cole’s team-mate in the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher backed Fords will be long standing BTCC and World Touring Car Championship contender Tom Chilton, the brother of former F1 racer Max Chilton.
Pre-season testing is currently under way, with Cole enjoying his first chance to sample the Motorbase squad’s new challenger at Parcmotor Casterlloli circuit in Spain recently before the series’ official launch at Donington Park on Tuesday, March 27.
The first round in the 2018 BTCC Championship 10-round, 30-race series is due to take place on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on the weekend of April 7/8.