Britain’s most exceptional young motor racing talent will again have the opportunity to strive for one of the biggest prizes in UK motorsport during 2022, as the prestigious Goodyear Motorbase BTCC Prize Test enters its ninth year.

Renowned for providing a one-of-a-kind experience for the most successful drivers from Goodyear supported junior championships, the fantastic prize drive in a Motorbase Performance engineered and prepared Ford Focus BTCC car has become highly coveted since it was established in 2014.

During the past eight years, some of the country’s most deserving young racers have benefited from the opportunity to experience a full day of testing and learning with Wrotham-based Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship squad Motorbase thanks to the long-standing association with Goodyear Dunlop.

Notably the coming BTCC season will see two of the prize’s past winners go full circle, with reigning and three-time Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion Dan Cammish and current and three-time BTCC Champion Ash Sutton competing with Motorbase-run NAPA Racing UK this year.

Cammish was the first recipient of the inaugural prize drive in 2014, getting his first taste of the BTCC with Motorbase after absolutely dominating the Formula Ford Championship the season prior, while Sutton took part in the prize drive in 2015 after starring in the Renault UK Clio Cup, winning the title in his maiden ‘tin top’ season.

Other drivers to have been awarded the prize test, and therefore gain their first experience of a BTCC car, include three-time TCR Champion Josh Files, double TCR UK Champion Lewis Kent, BTCC racers Ant Whorton-Eales and Mike Bushell, both former Renault UK Clio Cup Champions, and last year’s MINI CHALLENGE Champion Dan Zelos.

As well as providing a day of BTCC testing behind the wheel of one of Motorbase’s Ford Focus ST cars, the prize also includes insight and understanding of data analysis, tyre technology knowledge, driver coaching and immersion into the Motorbase ‘family’ during an unforgettable experience.

Eligible championships for the Goodyear Motorbase Prize Drive this year include BTCC support category the MINI CHALLENGE, the Focus Cup and the BRSCC Fiesta Championship. The prize test will take place at Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk towards the end of 2022.

Mickey Butler – Sales Account Manager Goodyear Racing EMEA:
“At the time we started the prize drive there were no prizes or rewards like it, and the pinnacle for most people in the UK is British Touring Cars, so I got in touch with Motorbase – it was the only team I wanted to do something with. It’s not just about the test and the track time, it’s about learning how to interpret the data, understanding the tyres and engineering, it’s one of a kind. It’s become so well established and is one of the proudest things I’ve done since I joined Goodyear Dunlop back in 1992.

“When you sit back and see where the drivers who have done the prize test have gone on to, it’s amazing. Now we’ve got Dan Cammish, a three-time Porsche Carrera Cup Champion and who should’ve already been a BTCC Champion, and Ash Sutton, the three-time BTCC Champion and a champion from [Renault] Clios when he won the prize, going full circle by racing with Motorbase and NAPA Racing this year. Who would’ve thought that all those years ago?

“There have been some great drivers over the years and I’m very proud about that fact, but just as proud – if not more so – of the drivers who will never be able to attain those heights but who have had the opportunity to experience a dream come true BTCC test with Motorbase. The reward I get from seeing so many drivers coming through, benefiting from the prize, is second to none. We’ve partnered with Motorbase from day one for this and that’s how it will stay for as long as Motorbase want to be involved, the team brings a real family feel to things and do such a fantastic job.”

Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager:
“The Goodyear prize drive has always been a fantastic event to be part of, Goodyear support championships in motorsport at every level and we get to reward their best drivers by giving them a day testing and being part of the Motorbase BTCC team.

“We get drivers at varying levels of their careers, some are starting out their journey and BTCC is very much on their radar for the future. Others get to live their dream of driving a current BTCC car which they otherwise would never get the chance to do. It’s also nice to see where the drivers progress to, so it’s obviously fantastic to see two of the drivers have not only proven themselves to be worthy champions, but we also now get to continue that journey with them – Dan and Ash.”

Pictures supplied by Jakob Ebrey Photography.