Motorbase Ford BTCC team keeps Jackson for 2017, gets new backer

Jackson finished third in the standings this year in the team's two-litre turbocharged Ford Focus and he took five race wins from the 30 rounds.

The sponsorship deal with Nestle firm Shredded Wheat is a multi-year package, and means the cars will feature a new yellow livery for the 2017 season.

"It is great to get this done early," Jackson said.

"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," he said.

"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."

Motorbase Performance has already announced that it will operate three cars in the BTCC in 2017, with the remaining drivers to be confirmed.