Motorbase makes Ford switch

Motorbase Performance will make a surprise switch from BMW to Ford machinery for next year's British Touring Car Championship

Jamie O'Leary Dec 8, 2010, 9:42 AM

The Kent-based squad, which has fielded BMWs since 2008, has bought three Focus STs from Arena Motorsport and will run at least two of them on an independent basis.

"We've thoroughly enjoyed our three years with BMW," said team principal David Bartrum. "We've become a race-winner with the cars and the 320si is still capable of winning races. But it's time to move on.

"This is the ideal time to make a change and it gives us a chance to progress as a team and be involved in the future of the ongoing development of the Focus."

Motorbase, which will compete under the Airwaves Racing banner, has enlisted engine specialist Mountune Racing to prepare NGTC-spec petrol units for the Focuses.

The cars were delivered to the team's Wrotham headquarters earlier this week and could be out on track as early as January, Bartrum told AUTOSPORT.

The two BMWs, in which Steven Kane and Mat Jackson took a win each this year, have been put up for sale by the team.