Clio Cup champion Mike Bushell eyes BTCC move after Motorbase test
Renault Clio Cup champion Mike Bushell is aiming to graduate to the British Touring Car Championship next season after testing with the Motorbase Ford squad
The 23-year-old clinched the Clio Cup in a dramatic final round at Brands Hatch and tested one of Motorbase's Ford Focus STs at Snetterton this week as part of a Dunlop Tyres prize initiative.
Bushell is now hoping to graduate to the BTCC.
"I'm extremely grateful for getting the experience," he said.
"I was surprised at how easy it was to take the life out of the soft tyre in a long run.
"That was a very valuable lesson learned for me on the test as I may not get the chance to experience this in winter testing should the BTCC dream become a reality.
"It's definitely the target for 2015 and at the moment looking very likely."
Bushell raced an NGTC Chevrolet Cruze in the BTCC at Knockhill in 2013 but found the NGTC Focus a new challenge.
"The Focus is very different to the Chevy, which was very understeery," added Bushell.
"The Motorbase Focus was much more nimble, especially at slow-mid speeds and with maybe a little too much oversteer for my liking in the high speed!"
Provisional British Formula Ford champion Jayde Kruger also got to run, while Motorbase gave Ginetta Junior title winner Jack Mitchell, whom it has supported all season, a test the following day.
BTCC race winner Mat Jackson was on hand to help during the running and team manager Oly Collins was impressed with the three drivers.
"They're obviously all talented drivers as their championship successes have shown and the test was a reward for that," said Collins.
"We knew we had three very competent drivers with us. We threw them in at the deep end in a car and team environment that they're not used to and they all coped extremely well.
"Feedback was extremely good and their pace and understanding of the BTCC car was very impressive in such a short amount of time."
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