
Multiple saloon car racing champion Jonathan Adam is to graduate to the British Touring Car Championship in a Motorbase Performance BMW this year.
The 24-year-old took back-to-back SEAT Cupra Cup titles in 2007-8, to add to his Renault Clio Cup championship victory in 2005. He tested for Motorbase last autumn and will now replace Steven Kane alongside Rob Collard in the team's BTCC line-up.
"This is a huge opportunity for me and I have to thank (team boss) David Bartrum and Motorbase Performance for giving me the chance to drive in the BTCC," said Adam.
"It's something I have been aiming for three or four years and now it's a dream come true. The goal is to get podiums and challenge for a win as soon as possible. I can't wait to get started."
Team boss Bartrum is sure that Adam will rapidly acclimatise to the BTCC.
"From the first moment we started working with him in the garage and in the car we realised he was keen to learn and very ambitious," Bartrum said.
"I think Jonathan will do a really good for Motorbase this year and will be very competitive once he settles in to the car. He will also be able to learn a lot from working alongside Rob Collard with all his experience, so I am convinced we have the right drivers to ensure Motorbase is successful in 2009."