Aron Smith joins Motorbase British Touring Car line-up for 2012
British Touring Car squad Motorbase Performance has signed Aron Smith to complete its three-car line-up for this season


Smith, who made his BTCC debut with Triple Eight Engineering at Knockhill last year, will drive alongside Motorbase regulars Mat Jackson and Liam Griffin. All three will drive the Ford Focus S2000 chassis, with Mountune turbo engines, that the team fielded in 2011.
Team boss David Bartrum has already been impressed with Smith after the former Renault Clio Cup ace tested at Brands Hatch and Snetterton.
"Aron settled straight in to the team and I'm sure he will be competitive very quickly this year," he said. "We've been talking to him for a long time and he's a great prospect.
"He was very quick and very positive [at the tests]. We've already spoken about 2013 and it's nice to have the stability, and that buzz of a young driver who can work with Mat."
Smith (22), who was the 2011 Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Year, added: "I couldn't be more excited about this season. The past two years have literally been building up to this moment.
"Motorbase is the type of team I know I'll feel right at home in, this all feels like a dream come true and I can't wait for the racing to begin."

Tom Onslow-Cole at WSR: Second-chance saloon
Mat Jackson expects to fight for the 2012 BTCC title with Motorbase

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