Airwaves Racing turns its attention to its iconic home track as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes to the Brands Hatch GP loop for the 2014 season finale this coming weekend.

The Airwaves Racing team celebrated its second win of the season in front of a bumper crowd at ‘the home of British motorsport’ Silverstone just two weeks ago, with Mat Jackson taking a popular race win in the final race of the weekend preceded by 3rd and 4th place finishes. With team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi’s 7th place finish in race 2 marking Airwaves Racing’s most successful weekend of the 2014 season to date, David Bartrum’s squad are eager for a repeat performance in front of the throng of spectators expected to descend on the Kent circuit to witness Sunday’s final showdown.

With the enviable accolade of being the only team in the championship to have its 100% finishing record still in-tact, Airwaves Racing now heads to the GP layout in a strong position to fight it out as runners up of the Independent Teams title. Mat Jackson also has a fierce battle on his hands as he looks to challenge third placed Gordon Shedden in the overall championship standings whilst fending off 2013 BTCC champion Andrew Jordan who lies a mere 4 points behind the Airwaves man.

Silverstone produced another best result to date for Jack Clarke and Crabbie’s Racing with the BTCC rookie scoring points in all three of Sunday’s races whilst claiming his first top ten finish of the season in race 2. As the BTCC returns to Brands for the season closer, Jack hopes to continue his impressive form and edge his way further towards the front of the grid to end his debut season on a high.

This weekend also marks the end of an era for Motorbase Performance and Airwaves Racing as its six year partnership comes to an end. Wrigley’s Airwaves first came on board as a sponsor of the Kent-based team in 2009, making an immediate impression on the championship with the team celebrating its first ever BTCC race win during the season opener at Brands Hatch. After six fantastic years of partnership and having enjoyed one of its most successful seasons to date; the Motorbase Performance-run outfit is firmly fixed on ending the 2014 season on a high with a fitting farewell to the Airwaves Racing banner.

The final round 10 of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place on the Brands Hatch GP loop on October 11/12. Live coverage of Sunday’s events will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.15am – 6pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday’s qualifying session between 3.35 and 4.10pm.

Airwaves Racing Team Manager Oly Collins said:

“After a strong Silverstone we’re coming to Brands in a buoyant mood. Mat has a chance of third in the Championship so that is one of our aims this weekend, but equally Jordan is very close behind too. We’re also 2nd in both the Independent Championships which we would like to hold on to. To be honest we just want to go for more wins and podiums and let the championship work itself out.

“It’s been a good season all in all, to be 4th overall going into the final round ahead of two manufacturer drivers in arguably the most competitive season of BTCC tells you that. Don’t get me wrong, we want to be winning it but we’re up against some seriously strong competition, that’s what makes the BTCC so good. One of our key attributes this year has been reliability which is down to the great team behind Airwaves Racing and Crabbies Racing who work so hard behind the scenes to achieve that. Hopefully that will continue and we can sign off as Airwaves Racing in the same form that we started with them six years ago – with a win!”

#6 Airwaves Racing driver Mat Jackson said:
“It’s business as usual for us this weekend, we can only go to Brands and do the best that we can. I need to score as many points as I can and hope that that is enough to jump Gordon, but really it is in his hands – you never know what can happen in the BTCC! We did well last time out at Silverstone and I’m aiming for the top step again this weekend. Hopefully that will be enough to get the best result for myself and the team and also to give Airwaves Racing the send-off it deserves. It’s been great to part of such a successful team with Airwaves on board, fingers crossed we can celebrate that in style with another trip to the top step.”

“To have reached the last round with 100% of laps completed with competition as fierce as it’s been this season is a mega achievement. It is a great testament to the whole team who have done a fantastic job of the car preparation, which has been faultless.”

#7 Airwaves Racing driver Fabrizio Giovanardi said:

“Brands Hatch is one of my favourite circuits. I have had a lot of wins here over the years, and again, I hope to close this difficult season in a better way. In the last two races at Silverstone, I had a good feeling driving the car. For sure we have made a big improvement and Mat’s results show this. Personally I have to work a bit more to be in the pace to win.

“This season has been tough, everyone was expecting different results from me, and it hasn’t happened, but from my side I have some memories in the past where I was in the same situation. This isn’t an excuse, but I can justify my season in a continuous research of the best development for the car; this sometimes could mean that later on we have the best car for the winning championship, but it’s also a big risk to make a mistake and have a bad result.”

#44 Crabbie’s Racing driver Jack Clarke said:

“I’m really looking to Brands Hatch this weekend. It’s Motorbase’s home circuit and I have won plenty of single seater races there. The last time I raced there I won my home FIA F2 race and the track is one of the best in the world in my opinion. My target is to establish myself between 8th and 14th through each race this weekend. To top my 10th place finish would be great but to affirm my place at the middle-front is an attainable goal and would make me happy.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming into the BTCC this year. We have been learning and absorbing all year and yes we have had some struggles but on the most part I have enjoyed myself a lot. I have been really impressed with the passion that the series generates; the fans, the teams and the drivers are all so true to a competitive love for racing! I love it and I look forward to a future in the BTCC.”

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