A new chapter awaits for Kent’s Motorbase Performance in the British Touring Car Championship following today’s news of the formal acquisition of one of the series’ most successful operations ever by Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne.

The news sees a change in management as long-time Team Principal, David Bartrum, steps aside after a phenomenally successful period leading the organisation’s on track operation for nearly two decades.

Founded in 2004 by former racer Bartrum, Motorbase has enjoyed widespread success in BTCC, British GT (British GT Championship title 2012) and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. It has claimed 109 podiums (34 outright wins) in the BTCC since joining the grid in 2006, winning the 2016 Independent Teams’ crown, while finishing as Independent runner-up in 2020.   

The squad will continue to run under the Motorbase Performance banner along with its core operational staff, including experienced Team Manager Oly Collins alongside AmD’s Technical Director Rob Tickner, and will remain operating out of its workshop in Wrotham, Kent.

Incoming Team Principal, Shaun Hollamby, and Managing Director, Pete Osborne, are incredibly excited to be building on this success moving forward having already forged a winning partnership in 2020 within the British Touring Car Championship.

Shaun Hollamby has driven forward the successful AmD Tuning operation within the British Touring Car Championship since 2010. Taking to the track himself in 2010 and sporadically in 2011 and 2013, Hollamby’s efforts have since centred on building one of the series’ most respected Independent entries. Enjoying continued growth over the last decade, this success was highlighted by the team securing the Independents Teams Championship in 2019 and supporting Rory Butcher in claiming the Independent Drivers title and Jack Sears Trophy in the same year.

A racer in his own right, Pete Osborne has been a familiar face within the British Motorsport community for a number of years initiating from his own participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and most recently supporting his son, Sam, in his transition into the British Touring Car Championship having debuted in the 2019 season.

The new management team will build on the excellent work of Motorbase Performance in 2020 following the Kent-based squad’s hugely successful build and introduction of the fourth-generation Ford Focus. Taking eleven podiums, two pole positions and five wins across the 2020 season, hopes are high for the new management team heading into the new season.

Shaun Hollamby – Team Principal of Motorbase Performance said:

“For me personally, this is closing one chapter in my involvement with the BTCC as well as starting a new one. We had some great times as AmD Tuning in this amazing Championship and I want to thank everybody involved along all those years. Every year, we have grown in stature and that has led us to what we are able to do today.

“Motorbase Performance is synonymous with everything that is great about British Touring Cars and a huge deal of credit must go to David and his team for what they have achieved. Their work gives us a great foundation to build on as we hope to go from strength to strength in the coming years. With myself and Pete coming together, I feel we have a really unique offering that can help us push on and set a new standard both on and off the track.”

Pete Osborne, the Managing Director of Motorbase Performance said:

“Motorsport has been a huge passion throughout my life and my involvement with the TOCA package and the British Touring Car Championship has increased in recent years through Sam’s participation. The opportunity to build on David’s fantastic work at Motorbase Performance in partnership with Shaun is something I am motivated by.

“Last year, we forged a very successful partnership in the most difficult season British Motorsport has arguably ever faced. To be able to take that work to a new level, combining the incredible amount of expertise that Motorbase and AmD already have operationally is a really exciting opportunity.”

David Bartrum – Founder of Motorbase Performance said of the deal:

“It is a massive compliment to the entire team that AmD’s Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne wish to purchase the team and add to it, to push Motorbase to the next level.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed building this team from the ground up over the years that has seen Motorbase achieve tremendous success both on and off the track. I have to thank everyone associated with Motorbase over the years, including staff, drivers and our many partners, who have helped this team grow to become one of the top outfits in the BTCC paddock.

“I have a big birthday coming up next year and with that in mind, I think the time is right for Shaun and Pete to take over the reins and guide the team into a bright future.

“I wish the team all the best and good luck for the future. I won’t be too far away and will be watching Motorbase march on from the sidelines.” 

Picture supplied by Motorbase Performance.