Perth racing driver Ru Clark has become the latest competitor to join the Motorbase Performance Young Driver Programme for 2022, after also confirming a second season of action in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE.

The 21-year-old, who away from his racing is studying for a degree in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Glasgow, was a podium finisher in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship feeder category last year and ended the season 11th in the standings, second in the Rookie class.

Clearly a driver to watch, Clark – who will again race for the JWB Motorsport squad with whom Wrotham’s Motorbase has partnered through its expanding ladder of progression – will undoubtedly go into the new MINI CHALLENGE season with a great opportunity to challenge for honours.

Starting his motorsport career in karting, Clark moved up into cars in 2017 in the BMW Compact Cup where he was a podium finisher. Graduating into the Volkswagen Racing Cup the following season, he starred with two race victories, three other podiums and ended the year as Vice-Champion.

In 2019 Clark was only able to contest a part season in VW due to A-level commitments, but he was still impressive – securing six podiums in seven races, including another win. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, his planned move into MINI CHALLENGE in 2020 was delayed until last year.

Now, with the support and backing of Motorbase Performance, Clark will have the opportunity to not only learn from the team’s BTCC squad, but also the Motorbase touring car drivers Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson.

Pete Osborne
Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal:
“I’m delighted to welcome Ru onto our Young Driver Programme and looking forward to seeing how he progresses in MINI CHALLENGE this year. Ru has shown himself to be an extremely capable driver in the headline JCW class, becoming a podium finisher in his debut season, and he enjoyed a lot of success in the VW Cup as well. He also, of course, enjoys the great continuity of racing with JWB Motorsport again this year in MINI so we’re all confident it should be a successful season.”

Ru Clark
MINI CHALLENGE racer:
“I’m very excited for the year ahead and to be joining the Motorbase Performance Young Driver Programme, it’s a fantastic development for my career as it moves forward. It’s going to be great learning from Motorbase’s BTCC drivers, including two of the top stars in the championship. I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this opportunity and I intend to repay the faith Pete Osborne and Motorbase have put in me this year.”

Racing as part of the BTCC package, the 2022 MINI CHALLENGE will get underway over the weekend 23rd/24th April at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire.

Images courtesy Jakob Ebrey Photography.