page_title: Motorbase Performance
section_title: Ford Focus (2011– Present)
hierarchical_section_title: Motorbase Performance / British Touring Car Championship / Ford Focus (2011– Present)
caption_attribution_description: English: Mat Jackson driving for Redstone Racing in Free Practice 2 at Thruxton in the 2012 British Touring Car Championship season.
context_page_description: Motorbase Performance is a British motor racing team, founded in 2004 by former Production Saloon racer David Bartrum. They are best known for competing in the British Touring Car Championship.
context_section_description: In 2011 the team raced as Airwaves Racing and ran a trio of Ford Focus STs, which were previously run by Team Aon the previous year. Although the chassis was built to the S2000 specification, the team used the turbo charged NGTC Engine. Mat Jackson stayed with the team for a second consecutive season and was joined by rookie Liam Griffin. At the Rockingham and Brands Hatch rounds, the team entered a third car for Porsche Carrera Cup frontrunner Michael Caine. However, he was replaced in the third car at Silverstone by two-time British Touring Car Champion, James Thompson.
  In 2012 the team raced under the banner of Redstone Racing, and continued to race with the three Ford Focus STs. Mat Jackson yet again stayed with the team for a third consecutive season. Liam Griffin returned for his second consecutive season with the team. The pair were joined by former Renault Clio Cup racer, Árón Smith. After a fire in Griffin's S2000 Focus meant they were a car short Motorbase built their first car; a NGTC specification global Ford Focus ST Mk.III. This car won its first race at the Silverstone meeting in the hands of Mat Jackson.
  For 2013 Airwaves returned as the main sponsor for the team. The team retained Mat Jackson and Árón Smith who both drove new NGTC turbocharged Focus ST MkIII while Liam Griffin continued with the team driving the older S2000 specification turbocharged Focus ST MkII.
  David Bartrum pulled off the coup of the year in signing two-times champion Fabrizio Giovanardi as the lead driver for Airwaves Racing in 2014. Another new face in former F2 racer Jack Clarke also looked set to deliver some great results with Clarke piloting the striking lime green livery of Crabbie’s Ginger Beer running under the Crabbie’s Racing title. Mat Jackson’s return to the squad for his fifth season was remarkably only announced at the official championship media day – after a last minute deal was penned that morning.
  With BTCC legend Giovanardi and star Jackson spearheading the squad’s assault on the 2014 Championship, all eyes were on Motorbase as serious title contenders. Frustratingly, it quickly became apparent that Giovanardi’s four year absence from the Championship had left too big a gap for the Italian to make up and he failed to deliver the expected results. Conversely Jackson enjoyed another superb season, finishing 4th in the overall Championship standings and runner up in the Independents. 
  The season also marked Motorbase’s most successful season to date, taking 4th place in the Overall Teams’ Championship whilst incredibly maintaining a 100% finishing record for the #6 Focus ST – the only car to have completed every lap of the racing season. Jack Clarke’s rookie BTCC season built solidly. From a slow start, the Crabbie’s-backed racer showed true class during the season and was rewarded with his maiden podium and Independent race win following a stunning drive in the season finale at Brands Hatch.
  2014 also marked the end of an era for Motorbase Performance, with Wrigley’s Airwaves taking the decision to move away from motorsport and the Motorbase squad after six years of success. One of the most successful partnerships in the BTCC, the farewell was suitably commemorated at the squad’s home circuit, Brands Hatch – the circuit where the Airwaves brand had made its debut six years earlier.
  The lead up to the 2015 season would prove to be the most challenging yet for Bartrum. With the loss of Wrigley’s Airwaves, a new title sponsor was in place for the Kent squad before a last minute change of direction saw them pull out just weeks ahead of the start of the season.
  With new signing James Cole already announced and confirmed alongside the returning Mat Jackson and the squad mid-way through a joint Ford EcoBoost development programme with engine builders, Mountune, Team owner David Bartrum had to make the momentous and difficult decision to take a half year sabbatical from the BTCC.  With support and agreement from TOCA and the team’s technical partners, Motorbase pushed on with the EcoBoost project before making it highly an
caption: Mat Jackson driving the Motorbase-run Ford Focus ST at the Thruxton round of the 2012 British Touring Car Championship season.
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