Knockhill Circuit in Scotland hosts the stars and cars of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this coming weekend, where Motorbase Performance aims to make the best possible start to the second half of the season – especially after topping the recent Goodyear tyre test.

Fresh from a very positive and highly competitive two-day BTCC test outing at Snetterton 300 Circuit just under a couple of weeks ago, the Wrotham team is feeling buoyed for the 450-mile plus journey north to Fife and is fully focused on achieving the best results possible across its four car squad.

Ash Sutton is presently the highest placed Motorbase driver in the championship, fourth position and just 24 points shy of the top of the standings. With six podiums thus far in his NAPA Racing UK liveried Ford Focus ST, three second places and a trio of thirds, more silverware is the aim for the reigning BTCC Champion at Knockhill.

Sutton heads north of the border to the unique 1.27-mile track, one of his favourite challenges on the calendar, feeling positive after concluding the tyre test quickest of all and working on some valuable changes to the car.

Team-mate Dan Cammish was also very impressive at the Snetterton tyre test, ending the two days second fastest to Sutton a mere 0.015 seconds shy but, importantly and notably, utilising the regular Goodyear race tyre on his NAPA Racing UK car as opposed to the soft ‘option’ compound which Sutton was running on day two. Cammish was also a terrific third overall on the opening day.

In terms of the season to-date, of course, Cammish has experienced some outrageous misfortune which has impacted his championship challenge. Currently just four points outside the top 10 in the title battle, he does have two podiums to his credit and is absolutely determined to turn the page on the largely luckless first half of the campaign.

While the timing screens at the test didn’t especially light-up for the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan drivers, both Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson concentrated on a wide range of set-up changes where they made great progress. Each of them carries heightened confidence to Knockhill.

Jackson has accrued four outright points finishes so far in 2022 and is 22nd in the championship standings, while Osborne is three places further back with one overall points result to his credit from Thruxton earlier in the year. In the Jack Sears Trophy, contested by drivers yet to make a podium visit, Osborne is fourth in the points table with one second in class finish and one third place.

Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager, said: “We had a really strong test a few weeks ago so we head into the second half of the season in a confident mood. After a really busy May and June, the break from racing has been a good opportunity for us to concentrate on the details.

“While the two-day Goodyear tyre test meant it hasn’t been much of a break for the crew behind the scenes, we do feel that’s been put to good use. Knockhill is such a great yet unique circuit for all the teams, it’s always a challenge the drivers love so we’re looking forward to the weekend and aiming for a return to the top step.”

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