Alex Martin will make his debut in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship when the season gets underway at Easter.
He will be piloting a Motorbase prepared Ford Focus ST under the banner of Dextra Racing and the 27-year-old can’t wait to get the season underway.
Speaking to Kent Sports News, he said: “I am of course looking forward to this new challenge. Porsches have four wheels on the outside and one on the inside, I think that is where the similarities ends.
“I have competed in many different cars on all the tracks on the calendar, many times. Whilst racing Carrera cup I did see the fantastic amount of buzz and enthusiasm around the BTCC along with the pressure that brings. I will draw on these experiences.”
Alex under the Dextra Racing brand will have a distinctive racing livery and that means that he won’t be missed on track by fans or fellow drivers, which could make him a bit of a target.
He added: “I feel sorry for anyone that wants to make me a target! I have just come from racing three seasons in the Ferrari challenge Europe, which is faster and also aggressive. I don’t have any fans yet, other than my driver coach/ Manager Barry Horne anyway but yes maximum exposure can only be a good thing.”
With testing season set to get underway shortly, Alex is busy working on his fitness ready to get back in the car and underway when the season gets going.
“Fitness is a concern of mine. I have been haunted by a few old Motocross racing injuries in recent years. I am now working with a new sports therapist/ trainer and therefore hopeful that I can get in ideal physical condition without aggravating my old injuries.”
It has meant a change in style for Alex as well as getting used to the transition to the Ford Focus for 2015.
He said: “I have taken it very steady and have tried to taking in as much as possible. It’s a great little car, very fun to drive.
“In some ways yes, a lot in others not much. It is hard to explain but the car has some similar traits to the Ferrari I have been racing but it also has some unique ones too.”
One of the challenges that Alex is looking forward to is getting to grips with the qualifying format, although testing is going well for him.
He added: “The qualifying format is quite obviously contrived in a way in which to encourage excitement. It is busy and short this will be a challenge to any driver new to the series.
“Testing is going very well. The Motorbase built ford focus ST is a fantastic Machine, it is very easy to go fast in. I will be concentrating on getting consistent lap times out of the car as speed isn’t the issue.”