Photo: PSP Images

Motorbase name to depart as Alliance Racing formed

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The Motorbase Performance name will disappear from the BTCC grid next season after the announcement that the team is to be rebranded as Alliance Racing.

Founded back in 2004 by David Bartrum, the team joined the BTCC grid with a single Honda Integra for Dave Pinkney before expanding to two cars the following season after the purchase of two ex-works SEAT Toledos.

After a successful three-year stint running BMWs, the team then switched to the Ford Focus in 2011 – a model it has run ever since.

Bartum elected to sell the team in early 2021, with Pete Osborne – father of BTCC Sam – ultimately taking control, with the team securing backing from NAPA Automotive for 2022.

With one round left of the 2023 campaign this weekend at Brands Hatch, Ash Sutton is the hot favourite to secure the title with a 45 point lead over Tom Ingram and 67 still on the table.

Whilst the team has continued to operate from Motorbase’s original base close to Brands Hatch, 2024 will see the team not only change its name to Alliance Racing, but also move to a new 30,000-square-foot base in the Midlands as it continues to chase success across multiple championships going forwards.

Aside from the BTCC, cars have been entered into the MINI CHALLENGE this season, with a NAPA Racing entry also competing in the British Truck Racing Championship.

“This is a fresh and exciting new era for all of us involved,” team owner Osborne said. “We’ve had strong plans right from the start and now we’ve done a few years learning and are growing within the BTCC and TOCA package, we aim to continue in that vein.

“The team is made up of fantastic individuals who all echo our desires to grow and expand into other areas of the industry while keeping the BTCC as a flagship programme.

“We’re proudly representing NAPA Racing UK in BTCC, MINI and Truck racing along with other activities outside of the racing, and we will continue to do so with NAPA by our side.

“Everyone in Motorsport has seen the impact we’ve had as NAPA Racing and the results are there because of the commitment of everyone involved.

“Having taken our motorsport activity beyond the BTCC this season, we are now looking at plans to grow into other areas. Watch this space!”