https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news.atommountune - News2023-10-10T21:33:07+01:00mountunehttps://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/highest-of-highs-at-brands-hatch2023-10-10T21:33:07+01:002023-10-16T11:19:30+01:00HIGHEST OF HIGHS FOR SUTTON AND NAPA RACING UKDavid Moore
Ash Sutton – 4x Drivers’ Champion
Napa Racing UK Teams’ Champions
Alliance Racing/Ford – Manufacturers’ Champion
A stunning season on track for mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK ended on the highest of highs after the team successfully wrapped up no fewer than three Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship titles on finals day at Brands Hatch.
Ash Sutton became only the third driver in series history to secure the Drivers’ Championship for a fourth time (twice powered by mountune) and the first driver to claim the title in both rear-wheel and front-drive machinery. Whilst the Alliance Racing-run team ended BMW’s seven-year stint on top of the Manufacturers’ / Constructors’ standings.
NAPA Racing UK also lifted the Teams’ Trophy for the second successive season.
QUALIFYING
Sutton went into the weekend with a 45-point lead over 2022 champion Tom Ingram and extended his lead at the top in Saturday’s qualifying session; making light of a lack of hybrid power to grab the bonus point on offer for pole position.
That was Sutton’s sixth pole of the year – equalling the modern-day record – and gave NAPA Racing UK a remarkable nine pole positions from ten sessions. It also confirmed Sutton as the winner of the Goodyear Wingfoot Award as top qualifier.
RACE 1, 2 AND 3
Aware that he only needed to finish ahead of Ingram in Race one to wrap up the title, Sutton held his lead at the start and was never at serious risk of being overhauled as he scored win number eleven of the season – securing an unassailable lead in the standings in the process.
Win number twelve – equalling the record set by Alain Menu in the Super Touring era of the 1990s – quickly followed in Race two as Sutton once again led from start-to-finish and despite being forced into an unscheduled pitstop in Race three to have debris removed from the front of his Ford Focus, rounded out his season with 13th place.
Ending the season on 446 points, 46 clear of Ingram, Sutton clinched another record by beating the previous best posted by Colin Turkington, whilst he set a new best for laps led having been out front for 174 laps across the campaign.
Alongside Sutton, there was a welcome return to form for Dan Cammish after a tough run of results had seen him fail to score in the previous six races. Cammish would pick up three top ten finishes, and made the most of running the soft compound tyre in Race two to make a return to the podium places for the first time since Croft; cementing his position in the top six in the championship standings in the process.
Three solid top-ten finishes for Daniel Rowbottom allowed him to wrap up seventh in the standings, although he was left to rue a bad start in the final race of the campaign when on the front row of the grid that saw him slip back down the order. Despite that, he scored his best result of the weekend in P5 to complete a hat-trick of top eight finishes.
A tricky finale for Sam Osborne saw his chances of securing the Jack Sears Trophy (JST) ended in the second race of the weekend when contact from the Cupra of James Gornall saw him go off heavily into the barriers at Paddock Hill Bend.
Fantastic work from the NAPA Racing UK squad enabled him to get back out for the final race, where he came from the rear of the field to cross the line in 17th place.
It means he ends the season fourth in the JST standings.
2023 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
As the BTCC season draws to a close, it has been a record-breaking year for NAPA Racing UK. Some of the highlights include:
16 wins
32 podiums
9 out of 10 poles
14 fastest laps
Ash broke the record for the number of laps led (174 across the season)
All achieved on a single mountune 2-litre EcoBoost engine across the entire season (100% reliability)
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/sensational-sutton-at-silverstone2023-09-25T20:48:30+01:002023-09-25T20:56:33+01:00SENSATIONAL SUTTON AT SILVERSTONEDavid Mooremountune-powered Three-time champion Ash Sutton produced one of the finest performances of his illustrious BTCC career so far and heads into the final three races of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship with a commanding 45-point lead over Tom Ingram after a legendary drive in Race Two.
NAPA Racing UK, together with Technical Partner Valvoline, unveiled a truly special one-off livery on Sam Osborne’s Ford Focus for one weekend only. This exclusive design paid homage to the Ford Mondeo driven by Paul Radisich in the 1990s.
QUALIFYING It was the return and final 2023 ‘Top Ten Showdown’ format, with Sutton heading into qualifying with only 1 second worth of hybrid around the challenging circuit and a combination of high-speed corners and straights.
It would be the Valvoline Ford of Osborne who was the fastest of the four-car fleet as he delivered the lap of his life, storming to an incredible third spot in the first round of qualifying. Championship leader Sutton was on the clasp of the cut off zone but managed to hold on while teammate Dan Cammish took sixth and Dan Rowbottom in 13th. The top ten were separated by an incredible 0.109s. By the end of qualifying, Sutton qualified in fifth, Cammish in seventh and Osborne completed his best qualifying result of the season in tenth. This was a first non-NAPA pole of the 2023 BTCC season after Mikey Doble became the first driver outside the NAPA Racing UK line-up to secure pole position in qualifying.
RACE 1 Drizzly conditions led to a chaotic pre-grid as teams and drivers had a critical call to make, with Sutton and Cammish choosing the slick tyres, while Osborne and Rowbottom fitted the wets. With the rain getting heavier, #116 and #27 came in to change tyres, dropping them down the order. With the correct rubber on, it was a great result for Rowbottom as he charged through the field from P13 to take second position with Osborne finishing in eighth.
RACE 2 Sutton produced one of the finest performances of his BTCC career so far, as the three-time champion fought from 23rd on the grid to secure an extraordinary first victory. The final move from the #116 machine came on the penultimate lap as he dived down the inside of leader Árón Taylor-Smith and into the lead through Woodcote and secured what was remarkably Sutton’s first Silverstone win of his BTCC career.
RACE 3 With a complete top twelve reverse grid for Race Three, Sutton started down in 12th place, with Rowbottom taking a second row start in P3. A great getaway from Rowbottom saw him battling for the lead heading into the first corner, eventually leading the pack just before the safety car was deployed. Sutton picked his way through the pack, making his way up to third, with Rowbottom eventually finishing in fourth. Sutton will now head to the final races of the season at Brands Hatch on the 7/8 October 45 points clear of Ingram, while NAPA Racing UK heading with a dominant 119 points lead in the Teams Championship.
ASH SUTTON – NAPA RACING UK, NO.116: “I’m speechless if I’m honest. I knew it was going to be tough and it fell in our favour with Jake [Hill] having that engine trouble by the looks of it. I’ve missed hybrid, it hurt here in qualifying but to get the full allocation – we haven’t had that since Round One so we made the most of it. “Our plan was to utilise it for passing cars that we thought might be harder to overtake. I’m over the moon, we maximised everything, the car, the changes we made overnight were mega, so I can’t thank NAPA Racing UK enough for their effort.”
The final round takes place at Brands Hatch GP on the 07-08 October with Ash currently 45-points clear of Tom Ingram.
DRIVERS STANDINGS
1
Ash SUTTON
398
2
Tom INGRAM
353
3
Jake HILL
330
4
Colin TURKINGTON
293
5
Josh COOK
237
6
Dan CAMMISH
220
7
Daniel ROWBOTTOM
198
8
Ricky COLLARD
187
9
Adam MORGAN
182
10
Rory BUTCHER
172
TEAMS STANDINGS
1
NAPA Racing UK
630
2
Team BMW
511
3
BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8
502*
4
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK
395*
5
One Motorsport with Starline Racing
384
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/dramatic-donington2023-08-30T17:24:27+01:002023-08-30T17:24:27+01:00RECORD-BREAKING DONINGTON PARK FOR NAPA RACING UKDavid Moore
mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK has strengthened its hold on top spot in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship following a record-breaking weekend on track at Donington Park.
Ash Sutton broke the record for most wins in a season under the current regulations to extend his lead at the top of the standings, whilst the NAPA Racing UK squad also strengthened its hold on the BTCC Teams Championship as top scorers from the weekend.
Saturday would be a day that showed the highs and lows of motorsport to full effect, with a dramatic off for Dan Cammish at McLeans – just seconds after he had set the quickest time in the opening practice session – resulting in the #27 Focus sustaining extensive damage that would rule the car out of the remainder of the weekend.
Showing the strength of the Motorbase-built car, Dan was able to escape the incident without injury.
By the end of the day however, there was plenty of reason to cheer in the garage as Sutton stormed to a fifth pole of the season in qualifying, equalling the record for most poles in a season under the current series regulations. It also maintained a 100 per cent pole record for NAPA Racing UK this season, with Dan Rowbottom posting the tenth-best time and Sam Osborne qualifying in 15th.
In celebration of Goodyear’s 125 year history in motorsport, the tyres had a very special rebranding, bringing back the first iteration of Goodyear’s Wingfoot logo at Donington Park.
BTCC RACE 1
Wet weather greeted the team for Sunday’s races, with Ash losing the lead at the start when he suffered wheelspin off the line and slipped to third spot. Regaining second within a matter of corners, Ash then quickly cleared rival Tom Ingram to hit the front, and stormed clear to take his ninth win of the campaign.
Dan would spend the race battling in gaggle of cars in the midfield before emerging with a solid eighth place, with Sam scoring the final point in 15th having survived a wild trip across the grass at the start that saw him collect a trackside advertising banner.
Luckily, the debris would drop off the front of the car before it could impact on his engine temperatures, ensuring a triple score for the team.
BTCC RACE 2
Ash retained his lead at the start of the second race on a now dry circuit before title rival Ingram nipped ahead on the fourth lap. From there, Ash held station to the finish having kept the BMW of Jake Hill at bay in second place to score another podium finish, despite suffering an issue with the brakes on his car.
Dan improved on his race one result as he took seventh place – only missing out on the top six by half a second – whilst Sam replicated his earlier performance as he once again picked up the final championship point.
BTCC RACE 3
With the top twelve reversed on the grid for race three, Ash started back in eleventh place on the grid, but would emerge from a chaotic encounter in an impressive fifth place. Crucially, that was two places ahead of main rival Ingram, allowing him to extend his lead in the standings to 42 points ahead of the penultimate weekend of racing at Silverstone.
“We had a solid race one in the wet, but then in races two and three we had to manage a bit of an issue with the brakes,” Ash said. “It was nothing to do with the team and they were just getting hot, but what happened to Dan was in the back of my mind, so I was aiming to stay out of trouble and bring home the points.
“Extending the lead at the top of the standings is great, particularly as I think Silverstone will be a tough one for us with no hybrid, but there are a few things I think we can look at to make sure we go there all guns blazing.”
Race three would prove to be a difficult one for Dan, who had fought his way into the top five before he clipped a tyre stack at the chicane, resulting in a puncture that forced him to make an unscheduled pitstop that dropped him off the lead lap.
The action-packed race saw Sam secure his best result of the weekend however, as he kept his nose clean and stayed out of trouble to take the flag in ninth place and earn a share of the Jack Sears Trophy victory for the weekend.
DRIVER’S STANDING:
1st– Ash Sutton (362 points)
5th– Dan Cammish (220 points)
8th– Dan Rowbottom (161 points)
18th– Sam Osborne (57 points)
MANUFACTURER’S – 2ND
TEAMS – 1ST
NEXT STOP, SILVERSTONE FOR ROUNDS 25, 26 AND 27 ON THE 23 – 24 SEPTEMBER 2023.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/wet-dry-and-dramatic-at-knockhill2023-08-16T21:26:54+01:002023-08-16T21:35:27+01:00WET, DRY AND DRAMATIC AT KNOCKHILLDavid Moore
mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK journeyed north to one of the calendar’s most breathtaking venues last weekend for rounds 19, 20, and 21 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill.
The weekend marked a significant milestone for the team with Race 2 on Sunday commemorating their 50thBTCC race. It was also one year since Ash Sutton clinched the team’s inaugural victory in 2022 at the same circuit, which now holds a special significance for the team.
In honour of this event, NAPA Racing UK had many plans up their sleeves to help raise vital funds for Race Against Dementia, founded by three-time F1 World Champion and seven-time Grand Prix winner, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. All the NAPA cars at Knockhill underwent a charming Scottish transformation, adorned with a one-off tartan livery. The team were accompanied by a very special performance ahead of the team’s 50thBTCC race by bagpipers and sported limited-edition Scottish NAPA Racing t-shirts and caps, which sold out within 24hours by fans at the NAPA Shop onsite.
NAPA Racing UK would like to thank everyone for their generous donations and for taking part to help raise a total fund of £10,235.76 towards winning the Race Against Dementia.
BTCC QUALIFYING
Ash Sutton maintained the astonishing qualifying record for NAPA Racing UK as he took the team’s seventh consecutive pole and his fourth of the season.
With the return of the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ the initial 30-minute session commenced in wet conditions before the tight and twisty Scottish circuit rapidly dried throughout the session, with only Sutton making it through to the top-ten shootout after both Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom picked up damage, while Osborne qualified P16. As the clock counted down, it was Sutton who emerged victorious, grabbing pole position by only 0.006s.
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Ash Sutton – 1st
Dan Rowbottom – 13th
Sam Osborne – 16th
Dan Cammish – 23rd
RACE 1
As the lights went out on Sunday’s race, Sutton made a lightning start, storming into the first corner and maintaining the lead. The excitement intensified by lap 6, as the field was faced with a sudden torrential downpour with transformed the Fife circuit into a slippery challenge. Whilst others faced challenges, Cammish climbed from 23rd to a spectacular fourth place on slick tyres.
However, despite their mesmerizing display of car control on slick tyres, both Cammish and Sutton were forced to pit for wet tyres, dropping them down the order.
RESULTS
Ash Sutton – 6th
Dan Cammish – 14th
Sam Osborne – 18th
Dan Rowbottom – DNF
RACE 2
Race 2 marked a special milestone for the team as NAPA Racing UK took to the starting grid for their 50thBTCC race and the 50thanniversary of Sir Jackie Stewart OBE 3rdF1 World Championship.
The phenomenal action continued as Sutton surged from sixth on the grid to third in only the first couple of corners. Despite a brief safety car period, he promptly maneuvered past Stephen Jelley, elevating himself to second place.
RESULTS
Ash Sutton: 2nd
Sam Osborne: 17th
Dan Rowbottom: 23rd
Dan Cammish: DNF
RACE 3
With the top seven from race two reversed, Sutton lined up on the third row, but a sudden downpour delayed the start. After the rain eased, the race began behind the safety car, as the field was released, Sutton charged through the field in a wet weather masterclass and stormed to victory with an impressive 10 second clearance from Josh Cook.
Ash has now extended his championship lead by 37 points heading into the final three weekends of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
Meanwhile, after starting down in 24th, Cammish showcased his remarkable driving skills, weaving through the field and surging into an impressive 10th position.
RESULT
Ash Sutton – 1st
Dan Cammish – 10th
Sam Osborne – 13th
Dan Rowbottom – DNF
THE TEAM
OLY COLLINS – TEAM MANAGER
“Knockhill always offers up excitement.It’s a difficult weekend to sum up in short as there are so many takes on it. I think we all saw the brilliance of Ash on Saturday and then a conversion into a mega points haul for our championship challenge. Winning from the front is great, but winning when things could go so easily the other way is what Champions do so well. Cammish was looking mega in qualifying, but the smallest error had huge consequences on the whole weekend. Sam’s performance was looking really solid, but again circumstances just went against him, taking away some potential results. Rowbo just had the worst luck all weekend, a technical issue, completely out of his and the teams control stopped him for Race 1 and put him at the back, then again in RaceTwo a freak puncture just summed up his weekend. As a team, we will investigate everything in detail, learn from the negatives as much as the positives and move on in a better position for the remaining three race meetings.”
ASH SUTTON – NAPA RACING UK, NO.116:
“I’m ecstatic I won’t lie. After RaceOne I thought we were going to have a tough task on our hands in terms of the Championship, but with the disqualification of Tom [Ingram] and the performance in Race Two and then finish it off with a win, I couldn’t ask for much more than that.
This is the biggest gap I have ever experienced in British Touring Cars so I’m not going to complain about it at all, but we have seen even this weekend how quick things can change. I’m not going to get too excited just yet. We are closer than we have ever been before, but we still need to be clever.”
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1st – Ash Sutton: 310
5th – Dan Cammish: 220
7th – Dan Rowbottom: 144
20th – Sam Osborne: 48
JACK SEARS TROPHY
4th – Sam Osborne: 283
TEAM STANDINGS
1st – NAPA Racing UK: 525
MANUFACTURERS / CONSTRUCTORS
2nd – Motorbase Performance/Ford: 568
Next stop, Donington Park for Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the BTCC championship on the 26/27 August.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/napa-lock-out-at-croft2023-08-01T09:40:45+01:002023-08-02T09:08:29+01:00MOUNTUNE-POWERED NAPA BTCC LOCK-OUT AT CROFTDavid Moore
The dust has just about settled on a phenomenal weekend for the mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK squad as they took qualifying, race 1 and race 2 clean sweeps, as The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship exploded back into life at Croft Circuit last weekend.
QUALIFYING AND RACE 1
It was a sea of blue and yellow at the front of the grid, after Dan Cammish blasted to pole position in qualifying, with Dan Rowbottom in second and team-mate Ash Sutton in third, marking the team’s first ever 1-2-3 lock-out.
With allthree tyre choiceson offer, Sutton opted for the medium compound, while both Dan’s went for the advantageous soft tyres for the first race of the day. As the lights went out, the Ford Focus’ made the perfect getaway as the NAPA team headed down to turn one in formation, holding off those behind to maintain their positions.
Further down the grid, the NAPA machine of Sam Osborne had a sensational start from P16, commanding his way through the pack and gaining six places by lap eleven. As the race unfolded, Osborne showed great skill by managing to retain his position in P10, despite being under pressure from the four cars close behind.
Cammish was wheel-perfect as he took the chequered flag with a lights-to-flag victory, ahead of Sutton and Rowbottom with the team celebrating a historic first-ever 1-2-3 podium.
RACE 2
With the soft tyres now in play, Sutton managed to perform another one of his trademark getaways off the line from third on the grid and cruised around the outside of teammate Cammish into turn one.
Continuously stretching his advantage throughout the 15-laps, Sutton claimed his seventh win of the season by more than seven seconds – with Cammish and Rowbottom in tow to clinch a second successive NAPA Racing UK podium sweep.
RACE 3
REVERSE GRID STARTING POSITIONS
P4 – Dan Rowbottom
P5 – Dan Cammish
P6 – Ash Sutton
P13 – Sam Osborne
As the final race of the day got underway, the Ford’s lit up the starting line after an initial good getaway however, Sutton was unfortunately caught in an incident, causing a puncture and forcing him to retire his ST.
Another fantastic finishing position for both Cammish and Rowbottom saw them come home in fourth and fifth respectively to complete an impressive day for the duo. Meanwhile, after a spin earlier on in the race, Osborne crossed the line to finish P17, moving up to third in the Jack Sears Trophy.
THE TEAM
DAN CAMMISH – NAPA RACING UK, NO.27:
“What a result for NAPA! It’s fantastic to get a 1-2-3 for the first time in Qualifying for us yesterday. It’s great being at the front but you can also get it very wrong if you are not careful. For myself to win at my home circuit, my first ever win at Croft in a touring car, so very pleased with that. One down and two to come!”
ASH SUTTON– NAPA RACING UK, NO.116:
“Those changes overnight have definitely worked – that car just came alive, it’s absolutely mega on the soft tyre. All cars are but that was just something else.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1st– Ash Sutton: 258
5th– Dan Cammish: 212
7th– Dan Rowbottom: 144
17th– Sam Osborne: 45
JACK SEARS TROPHY
3rd– Sam Osborne: 250
TEAM STANDINGS
1st– NAPA Racing UK: 465
MANUFACTURERS / CONSTRUCTORS
2nd– Motorbase Performance/Ford: 497
Next stop, Knockhill for Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the BTCC championship on the 12/13 August.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/puresims-now-at-hq2023-07-31T15:02:28+01:002023-07-31T15:04:45+01:00MOUNTUNE x PURE SIMS, NOW AT HQDavid Moore
If you're unfamiliar to our UK HQ, as well as being able to drop in to speak to one of the team or collect parts, we also offer an extensive installation service where there's a comfortable waiting area to relax and enjoy yourself while we upgrade your car.
Well, our waiting area itself has now had an upgrade of its own! We've teamed up with three-time BTCC champion and main-man behind Pure Sims, Ash Sutton, to add a whole lot more fun to the experience at our HQ.
We've got one of the latest Pure Sims driving simulators - as used by the man himself to hone his skills off-track, which allows you to jump behind the wheel of a mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST and take on any number of UK tracks, all with incredible force-feedback and real-world dynamics and realism.
To make things even more fun while you wait, each month we'll be changing the circuit and Ash will be setting a lap time to aim for. The top three customers to get the closest to his time will win a £100 gift card, a £50 gift card and a merch pack (in that order for 1st, 2nd and 3rd).
Beat his time... and you'll also win bragging rights and be (loosely) able to say you're quicker than a three-time BTCC champion - as if you needed another reason to choose mountune on your performance journey.
We'll also be taking our newest addition to FordFair, so if you can't get in to see us at our HQ, make sure you stop by our stand to have a go as we'll also be offering prizes for the quickest times on the day.
Interested in a sim, or upgrades to your existing rig? Head over to Pure Sims to browse their impressive range of kit, backed up with first-class service and support.]]>
https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/3-from-3-for-mountune-powered-napa-racing-uk2023-06-06T18:54:50+01:002023-06-06T19:06:34+01:00THREE FROM THREE FOR MOUNTUNE-POWERED NAPA RACING UKDavid Moore
NAPA Racing UK achieved a triumphant victory at Thruxton winning all three races across the weekend. Ash Sutton maintained his impressive run of form winning race one and two before Dan Rowbottom added to the celebrations with a superb victory in race three and his first ever win for the team.
QUALIFYING
Sutton claimed his second pole position of the season during qualifying at Thruxton on Saturday, 3rd June, with a stellar lap time, blasting to pole position with a 0.210 gap over Tom Ingram.
Basking in the bright sunshine, drivers found it challenging to maintain the same level of grip and balance they had during earlier practice sessions. However, Sutton was wheel-perfect to set a benchmark time of 1:15.489.
RESULTS
Ash Sutton – 1st
Dan Cammish – 9th
Dan Rowbottom – 14th
Sam Osborne – 20th
RACE 1
A packed out crown on Sunday, June 4th at Thruxton witnessed mountune-powered Sutton’s outstanding performance in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car opener. Despite the scorching heat, he showed his remarkable skills and led the race from the beginning, leaving no chance for his competitors to catch up. His domination and impeccable driving skills were evident throughout the race, as he maintained his lead, crossing the line with a 2.5-second gap from second-place, Ingram.
After starting in ninth place, Dan Cammish quickly made his way through the field, eventually finishing in fifth. Despite great progress, Rowbottom experienced a late rare puncture dropping him down the order.
Meanwhile, Sam Osborne’s efforts were hindered by unavoidable damage, leading to a drop in his position to 21st.
RACE 2
Sutton’s determination and skill were on full display in the second race as he once again started from pole. Despite the pressure of defending his previous victory, Sutton remained focused. With a powerful start, he quickly established a significant lead of over two seconds ahead of his closest competitor. His unwavering commitment to excellence paid off as Sutton secured yet another win, taking three consecutive double race weekend victories to extend his lead.
After starting near the back of the grid, Rowbottom drove an incredible race, making his way through the field, eventually finishing in P11.
RACE 3
mountune-powered Rowbottom rounded out an incredible weekend for the team. Despite starting fifth after a three-place penalty from race 2, he wasted no time in working his way up the order and hunting down pole-sitter Adam Morgan before making the decisive move as they sped towards the fastest corner to claim the lead before Church, and headed to his remarkable first win of the season.
OLY COLLINS – TEAM MANAGER
“What an amazing weekend. Thruxton is always a tough place to come to and we were well aware that qualifying was a key part towards a successful weekend. Ash did an incredible job when it mattered and continues his amazing run of form. I was really pleased for Dan (Rowbottom) too, he hasn’t been blessed with the luck this season and it looked to bite him again in Race 1. His comeback in race two was just brilliant and he really deserved that win! A really solid weekend for Dan (Cammish), slightly out of place in qualifying but came back to score some great points and then Sam just had terrible luck having a great start to the weekend ruined by getting caught in someone else’s incident.
As a team you always aim for this kind of success and you can’t do it without having the depth of talent that we have across our four-car team. Since we started this journey as NAPA Racing, everyone involved has constantly pushed to improve both as individuals in themselves and as a collective as a team and that keeps going. It’s almost contagious where the engineering department have improved the car, so has the reliability from the mechanics, and then the presentation, the promotion, the media and so on. It’s an absolute joy to be part of something so special and we’ll keep working hard to keep this momentum going.”
ANTONIO CARROZZA – CHIEF ENGINEER
“We’re in such a good place with the car at the moment and still trying to develop little bits here and there – everyone else should be working hard to catch up so we can’t sit on our laurels!”
DAN ROWBOTTOM – NAPA RACING UK, NO.32
“I made up places at the start and then it was a good battle with Aiden [Moffat]. Aiden put up a great challenge, but our car was fantastic and so once we got clear and into second, I set about chasing Adam [Morgan] down. I didn’t plan to make the move into Church, but it was a great feeling to take the win.
The team have been brilliant all week – Ash [Sutton] won the first two races and we’ve won the third. I did not feel as positive at the end of Race 1 after the issue we had – I wondered if the weekend was finished – so to come back from that and show the pace that we had in Race 2 and in Race 3 is a great feeling. It’s a fantastic end to the day.”
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1st – Ash Sutton: 183
5th – Dan Cammish: 128
6th – Dan Rowbottom: 95
16th – Sam Osborne: 35
JACK SEARS TROPHY
2ND – Sam Osborne: 173
TEAM STANDINGS
1ST – NAPA Racing UK: 312
MANUFACTURERS / CONSTRUCTORS
1st – Motorbase Performance / Ford: 339
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/sutton-makes-history-at-snetterton2023-05-23T15:08:55+01:002023-05-23T15:11:48+01:00MOUNTUNE-POWERED SUTTON MAKES HISTORY AT SNETTERTONDavid Moore
Having scored a record-breaking 62 points at Brands Hatch in the previous meeting, mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton headed to the longest circuit on the calendar sitting third in the championship standings.
A successful weekend saw him secure his first pole of the season, two wins and an incredible fourth place, despite being on the hard compound tyre, describing the car “the best touring car I’ve ever driven”.
Qualifying
Sutton sailed to pole for the first time this year, making it a hat-trick of pole positions for NAPA Racing UK, having seen Dan Rowbottom take the top spot at Donington Park and Dan Cammish repeating the feet at Brands Hatch.
The session was twice interrupted during the early phase of qualifying with the first caused by fluid which was deposited across the track at Coram. The second of the two red flags came when Dan Cammish made contact with the barrier on his second flying lap, subsequently having to start the race at the back of the grid.
When the session finally got underway, many drivers were yet to set a representative lap time. However, Sutton was yet again in a class of his own as he stormed to pole position, setting a new qualifying lap record of 1:54.526.
Race 1
Sutton made a sensational start, immediately pulling away from the pack and creating a comfortable lead with an incredible three second gap after just three laps. Meanwhile Cammish, chose to run the hard compound tyre making extraordinary progress to move himself into 11th place.
With the chequered flag in sight, Sutton managed to hold off a late charge from Jake Hill to take his third win of the season.
Race 2
Sutton continued his domination in race 2, claiming his second win of the day and becoming the first driver since 1997 to secure four BTCC race wins in a row. It was an incredible drive from Sutton who led from lights out to the chequered flag to take the win with a 3.6 second margin.
After starting in P7, Daniel Rowbottom continued to make impressive progress through the field eventually finishing in P4. Meanwhile, Jack Sears Championship leader Sam Osborne finished in P9, while Cammish crossed the line in P11.
Race 3
As the weekend drew to a close, one race remained and it was still all to play for with the reversed grid in place.
As the lights went out Rowbottom had an excellent start, carving his way into the lead by lap two. Unfortunately, on better tyres, those behind managed to get passed, demoting him to third. Meanwhile, Cammish, after starting in 11th, had a sensational start moving his way through the field into P2. He then set about attacking for victory in the closing stages with just 0.587s between him and Tom Ingram as they crossed the line.
Unfortunately after post-race checks, the result was taken away but still an incredible and well fought drive by Cammish. After a fantastic result by Rowbottom he gained some valuable points and a the last minute P3 in the final race of the day.
It was another perfect weekend for Osborne as he walks away from Snetterton still in the lead of the Jack Sears standings after winning the trophy for the second weekend running.
THE TEAMASH SUTTON – NAPA RACING UK, NO.116:
“The car was on absolute rails. I said to the boys and girls at NAPA Racing UK that this is the best touring car I’ve ever driven. We had to pounce at each start, as we know how long it can take for the rear-wheel drive cars to get the tyres up to temperature. “We haven’t changed the car since Brands Hatch and it’s just working so well. There might be days where it doesn’t quite feel like this, but for now it’s just mega.”
OLY COLLINS – TEAM MANAGER
“Another fantastic weekend at NAPA Racing UK, I’m enjoying this!
To get three poles in a row is outstanding, to do it with three different drivers just shows the depth of talent we have throughout the team. Then to transfer Saturday’s one lap performance into a masterclass on Sunday was so good to watch. In race trim Ash was dominant today, simply in a class of his own up front. Dan drove superbly from the back and we almost demonstrated the perfect recovery drive. It was mega to see Rowbo leading the way in race three and securing his first silverware for the year and another Jack Sears trophy for Sam after some great performances from him earlier on in the day completes the squad.
I said at the start of the season that we believe we have the best drivers and crew on the grid, today I think they proved it.”
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1st - Ash Sutton: 135 4th – Dan Cammish: 98 6th – Dan Rowbottom: 69 14th – Sam Osborne: 35
JACK SEARS TROPHY 1st – Sam Osborne: 139 TEAM STANDINGS 1st – NAPA Racing UK: 236
MANUFACTURERS/CONSTRUCTORS STANDINGS
1st – Motorbase Performance/ Ford: 251
Next stop, Thruxton for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the BTCC championship on the 03/04 June.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/double-victory-for-sutton-as-cammish-extends-his-championship-lead2023-05-09T15:57:41+01:002023-05-09T16:00:58+01:00DOUBLE VICTORY FOR SUTTON AS CAMMISH EXTENDS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP LEADDavid Moore
The perfect weekend for mountune-powered Ash Sutton saw him get his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign back on track at Brands Hatch last weekend, after gaining three consecutive podiums in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST.
Sutton leaves Brands Hatch having achieved his biggest points haul ever in his career with two wins, a second place and three fastest laps.
Qualifying
After his success at Donington Park, Dan Cammish certainly returned to form as he produced one of the best laps of his career storming to pole position in the final seconds of qualifying on Saturday, 6th May.
Treacherous conditions on Saturday saw a very wet and slippery track for the first part of qualifying creating plenty of drama and several red flag stoppages. With the chequered flag in site the 10 fastest drivers got through to the second round.
The leading four cars were separated by just 0.070s as the clock ticked down during the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ before Cammish crossed the line and blew his rivals away by over a quarter of a second.
Race 1
Sunday finally saw all drivers take to the grid on slick tyres, with Cammish starting in pole position and teammate Sutton in P4, it was all to play for as the lights went out. Sutton stormed around the outside of Jake Hill to take second place, before getting by teammate Cammish on the run through to Surtees.
An incident involving NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Rowbottom saw an immediate red flag. After a 45-minute delay, proceedings got back underway with the pack starting from their original grid positions.
A great battle between teammates saw Sutton come out on top to finish P2 while Cammish completed the podium.
Race 2
With the NAPA Racing UK pair lining up in P2 and P3 it was Sutton that came out on top snatching the lead from the pole-sitter. A fantastic drive from Sutton saw him maintain the lead and went on to win his first BTCC race of the season.
Cammish finished in P5 with Sam Osborne rounding out the top 10. Incredible work by the mechanics saw Dan Rowbottom’s car back out for race 2, gaining a sensational 9 places before finishing in P15.
Race 3
With the reverse grid drawn it was Osborne who started in P4 taking his best starting grid of the year. As the lights went out Sutton pulled off some sensational moves to go from P11 to P3 in only two laps. The soft tyres proved to be the best tyre compound as the three-time champion made pass after pass to win a dramatic and tense finale.
Meanwhile, Osborne pulled off some fantastic moves in the final race of the day to win the Jack Sears Trophy for the weekend.
OLY COLLINS – TEAM MANAGER
“What a weekend! The whole team has been on top of their game this weekend with outstanding performances by the drivers all weekend. Dan’s lap in tricky conditions on Saturday was mega, he pulled that out just when it mattered to secure pole position. Dan had three strong top 5 finishes in all three races to keep him leading the Championship. Then Ash’s performance on Sunday was simply breath-taking. I think that’s a career best for Ash and maybe the biggest weekend points haul of a driver in the NGTC era? Sam’s race-day performance was also the best of his BTCC career, which ultimately secured him two Jack Sears wins and the Jack Sears trophy for the meeting. An unfortunate incident for Dan Rowbottom after the DNF in race one really put pay to his weekend, despite that he still managed to come back with a great drive from the back and secure two important points finishes.
The results we’re currently seeing on track is simply a result of the hard work that has been put in behind the scenes since the flag dropped on the 2022 season. On and off-track NAPA Racing UK are at the top of our game, we’re well aware we now need to keep this momentum going as we continue through the season.”
ASH SUTTON – NAPA RACING UK, NO.116:
“It’s good to be back! The car was nice in Race 1 but that was mega. We made a handful of changes between Race 1 and 2 and the car was just leaps and bounds, miles better.
“We were just managing the tyre, managing the gap. Tom [Ingram] got close at one point and a few little sweats came out but it was a case of just knuckling down. We knew we had the tyre at the end and had to use that. I’m just over the moon – the car was mega!
“NAPA Racing UK have done such a good job with this car. I think it’s clear from everyone we’ve just dialled in on the chassis and made improvements and it’s singing at the moment. I couldn’t ask for a better weekend – a second and two wins! Looking forward to Snetterton.”
As the dust settles on a great weekend for NAPA Racing UK, Cammish still leads the championship with Sutton jumping to 3rd, whilst the same Motorbase/NAPA Racing UK outfit tops both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables.
Next stop, Snetterton for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the BTCC championship on the 20/21 May.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/cammish-does-the-double-btcc2023-04-25T09:19:00+01:002023-04-25T14:07:17+01:00MOUNTUNE-POWERED CAMMISH SEALS THE DOUBLE AT DONINGTON PARKDavid Moore
12 months on from the fire that engulfed Dan Cammish’s 2022 title hopes, tables have well and truly turned for the now championship leader as he produced a race winning double at the opening rounds of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship last weekend (22/23 April).
Qualifying
Making his debut for mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK, Dan Rowbottom sailed to pole position, edging out NAPA Racing UK driver, Ash Sutton by only 0.041s.
All drivers took part in the normal 30-minute qualifying session before the 10 fastest competitors took part in the new ten-minute pole position shoot out.
Rowbottom put in a stella lap to go P1, while Sutton’s initial lap time was removed for track limits, plunging him down the order. With a few minutes left of qualifying, Sutton had it all to do and after setting a purple sector, he eventually qualified in P2, making it a NAPA front row lock out for race 1, while Cammish qualified in 5th and Sam Osborne in 19th.
Race 1
Treacherous conditions on Sunday saw all drivers take to the starting grid on wet tyres. With Rowbottom struggling to get the power down in the conditions, Sutton eyed up the opportunity to surge into the lead, however contact with Jake Hill resulted into his car getting fired off onto the grass subsequently having to retire.
After some great on-track battles with the leaders, Cammish pulled a late, sensational move, going side-by-side with Hill through the Craner Curves, ultimately coming out on top and taking over the lead of the race.
As the chequered flag fell, Cammish took his and NAPA’s first maiden win of the BTCC season, a fantastic come back from 5th on the grid.
Race 2
Tyre choice proved to be vital during race 2, but Sam Osborne mastered the wet and tricky conditions after cleverly choosing to switch to wet tyres early. After starting down in P17, Osborne made his way through the field, eventually finishing with his first ever podium in BTCC, which awarded him with the Jack Sears trophy - his best career position to date.
Race 3
With the third and final race approaching, NAPA Racing UK took their second front row lock out of the weekend. Cammish lined up in P1 with Rowbottom in second. NAPA Racing UK team-mate Sutton had it all to do from P15, but made an incredible come back to P4 going into the closing stages.
As pole sitter, Cammish drove off into the distance, leaving the final spots of the podium up for grabs. In the closing stages, Sutton squeezed past the BMW at Mcleans to gain P3, making it a third consecutive podium appearance and double podium for NAPA Racing UK
DAN CAMMISH – NAPA RACING UK, NO.27:
“Big smile! Yesterday did not go exactly to plan – I was happy with P5, but also a bit conscious that maybe it wasn’t the best we could have had. I did have a gut feeling that the car would be better on the Sunday, as that’s what we’ve been working towards.
“Twelve months on from a bit of a shocker, to bounce back with two wins is brilliant. Race 2 was interesting with slicks in the rain – we had a chance, but we had to make a call and I realised I was in a bad place when people pitted under the Safety Car. I think I was so focused on that race win and should have switched to think about the reverse grid.
“We had a bit of luck with the draw in the end, but we also needed the performance to win it. Really proud of all the guys at NAPA and what a day! Over the moon. First weekend as a married man and two wins – it’s been great!”
ASH SUTTON – NAPA RACING UK, NO.116:
“A what could have been weekend that is for sure. Look, to come from 15,16 – whatever it was – to third on the podium, I couldn’t have asked for much more. Obviously Dan [Cammish] had a nice sensible run. I tried to get Tom in the last chicane but we still got some good points under our belt and that’s what we needed.
“I wanted to bring a first place home to him [my newborn son], but didn’t quite do that. I hope he is not too disappointed. A third will do to start with!”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-launches-into-southern-hemisphere2023-04-24T01:00:00+01:002023-04-24T09:23:31+01:00MOUNTUNE EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE WITH AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONDavid Moore
mountune opens new southern hemisphere facility and dedicated website mountune.com.au, serving local markets in Australia and New Zealand
Move follows a decade of sustained growth in region
Will enhance service for performance enthusiasts, offering wide range of Ford and Volkswagen Audi Group Upgrades
Upgrades combine thrilling performance, superb driveability, and OE-levels of reliability and fit and finish
Essex, UK (Apr 24 2023):mountune announces the expansion of its international footprint, establishing mountune Australia as a base to better serve performance enthusiasts in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
The company’s expansion follows a decade of sustained growth in the Southern Hemisphere, including a period where its exactingly developed, ‘OEM+’ performance packages were officially endorsed by Ford Australia and their local Ford dealer network.
Operating out of a new service and logistics facility located in Tasmania, mountune is taking its Southern Hemisphere operations to the next level, strengthening bonds with existing customers and dealers and reaching out to legions of new automotive enthusiasts.
The new expansion includes a dedicated mountune.com.au website and offers the rapidly growing mountune customer base in Australia, New Zealand and beyond, the full suite of Ford and VAG performance upgrades, backed up by express delivery options and in-market technical support, in local time zones.
With over 40 years in the business, mountune has amassed unrivalled knowledge of powertrain calibration and performance parts development, enabling it to offer market-leading, exceptionally well-rounded upgrade options. The solutions cater for a wide range of models, including Fiesta ST, Focus ST & RS, Puma, as well as VW Golf GTI, Golf R and Audi S3.
The new division will offer mountune’s full range of performance parts and upgrade packages - all exhaustively developed over the course of thousands of test miles by its UK-based engineering and development team.
David Mountain, mountune founder, said:“we’re delighted to announce our formal expansion into the Asia Pacific market with our new Australian facility. Having already had a long-standing relationship with customers in the region – as well as a period where our upgrade packages were imported and endorsed by Ford AU dealers – establishing a physical base ‘down under’ was the natural next step.”
“Headed up by Tom Wallace, who is a performance and motorsport enthusiast at heart, as well as having an impressive and extensive track record in the performance industry, this move will enable mountune to reach more customers than ever before in our key markets of Australia and New Zealand – both areas with significant and passionate performance car communities.
Our expansion represents a new chapter, and an exciting time for the business. The growth is testament to the hard work that’s been put in day-in, day-out by our dedicated, immensely talented ‘global’ team”.
Tom Wallace, mountune Australia Director, added: “Working with such an iconic brand with a rich history in the automotive and racing industry is a privilege. In setting up Australian operations we can improve on our overall customer experience which is paramount to our values. Building a strong fitment/support program through our dealer network strategy will also assist with these goals.”
The new purpose-built Australian website can be viewed at www.mountune.com.au
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/four-car-line-up-for-mountune-powered-napa-racing-uk2023-02-22T09:23:09+00:002023-04-23T20:26:31+01:00FOUR-CAR LINE UP FOR MOUNTUNE-POWERED NAPA RACING UKDavid Moore
NAPA Racing UK announces four-car mountune-powered line up for BTCC
Dan Rowbottom signs for NAPA Racing UK
NAPA Racing UK and Motorbase Stick with Ford
NAPA Racing UK add Rowbottom to expanded, four-car BTCC Squad
NAPA Racing UK launch championship campaign bid forming a four-car line up ahead of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
NAPA Racing UK has today (22nd February) released their hugely anticipated plans ahead of the 2023 British Touring Car Championship.
Off the back of an incredible maiden season last year, NAPA Racing UK became Teams Champions and runners up in the Drivers’ Championship. This year, NAPA Racing UK are taking it up a gear with a four-car line up on the BTCC grid with the Motorbase Performance-run team for 2023.
With their multi-year deal, three-time BTCC champion, Ash Sutton and three-time Porsche Carrera Cup Champion, Dan Cammish will return this year with their eyes firmly on the prize. Despite a lot of learning, adjustments, and development during the early part of the 2022 season, Cammish and Sutton ended the year strong, setting them up nicely for the season opener at Donington Park.
The third driver joining Ash and Dan is Motorbase driver, Sam Osborne. Osborne, who made his BTCC debut back in 2019, is well-known in the NAPA Racing UK garages, after competing in one of Motorbase’s Ford Focus last year under Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan. After coming fourth in the Jack Sears standings last year, Osborne will be setting his sights on winning the trophy this year.
Completing the four-car driver line-up is a well-known character in the BTCC paddock and 2021 Jack Sears trophy winner, Daniel Rowbottom, bringing his major sponsor, Cataclean along with him. Rowbottom joins the NAPA Racing UK team at the pinnacle of the next stages of NAPA’s rapid growth in only their second year in the BTCC. He joins the racing family after an incredible career to date and will no doubt be challenging with the front runners after spending the last couple of years in a front-wheel drive car, giving him a significant advantage as he jumps in the Ford ST.
NAPA LIVERY
The striking blue and yellow livery on NAPA's Ford Focus made it a crowd favourite last year and claimed the top spot of all liveries by BTCC followers.
The iconic NAPA branding has been refreshed for 2023, featuring more of the vibrant yellow and chevron elements around NAPA’s hexagon shaped logo, along with a range of new sponsors. While some features are different, the NAPA Ford retains its signature honeycomb effect on its front bonnet, which was a highly complimented feature last year. With four eye-catching NAPA cars this year, the grid will certainly be a brighter place this season!
Oly Collins – Team Manager
“We’re absolutely delighted to announce the four-car line up with NAPA this year. I’m really looking forward to seeing all four cars line up on the grid for the first time. Since NAPA Racing UK started this journey with us, it has been non-stop excitement and evolution. Together, we have brought a new approach to the Championship and shown exactly how to maximise opportunities wherever possible. Every area of the team behind this have pushed boundaries both on and off track, so we’re really looking forward to our second season as NAPA Racing UK.
To continue the journey with the continuity of Dan (Cammish) & Ash (Sutton) is fantastic. But, to now have the opportunity to further improve our driver line up with Dan (Rowbottom) joining us alongside Sam (Osborne) is outstanding.
At the end of last season, we did look into other options of base car model for the 2023 season, but ultimately with a car & team which won the Teams Championship outright last year, we decided to continue for another season with the Focus ST. We have a lot of knowledge in the Focus and have invested over the winter to further improve the package in an aim to get the number 1 back on one of our cars as soon as possible.”
Dan Cammish - #27
“I am really looking forward to the upcoming BTCC season. The second half of last season was really strong and I am confident we will start this year in even better shape. The NAPA Racing UK team have put in a lot of work over the winter to ensure we are in the best place possible when the lights go out at Donington for the season opener.
The addition of Dan Rowbottom to the team along with Cataclean is further proof of the hard work that has gone on in the background this winter. I look forward to working with Dan, Ash and Sam to keep NAPA Racing UK at the front of the BTCC grid.”
Ash Sutton - #116
"2023 is shaping up to be an awesome season. Everyone at NAPA Racing UK and Motorbase have been hard at work over the winter months with the development to the Focus, so I can’t wait to see how that translates to the track. The addition of having Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne now a part of the NAPA outfit is a statement for the brand.
I personally love the new livery, it’s really going to look the part on track and especially with all four cars lining up on the grid. We have a solid testing plan in place, so it gives us a great opportunity to work our way through some setup changes that we didn’t visit in the season last year. The aim is to come out stronger than where we ended up last year!"
Dan Rowbottom - #32
“To say I’m excited is an understatement. The opportunity for not only myself, but for my long-term title partners Cataclean is superb. I’ve always been a NASCAR fan, so when NAPA joined BTCC, on a personal level that struck a chord for me, so to be able to continue the next steps of my career with NAPA Racing UK and Cataclean is an enormous privilege and something that words can’t quantify. I have no doubt that we can get on with job and challenge for race wins in the 2023 season and cement ourselves as BTCC front runners once more.”
Sam Osborne - #77
“Super excited to join NAPA Racing UK for the upcoming season, feel privileged to represent such an incredible brand. We have been working hard with the team to get the car ready for the season, I have been working on my fitness and on the simulator and can't wait to get started. Looking forward to Dan Rowbottom joining the team!”
It will be a busy few weeks for the team, as they travel to iconic circuits to test ahead of the season opener at Donington Park on 22-23 April.
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-powers-napa-racing-uk-to-2022-btcc-title2022-10-10T12:40:37+01:002022-10-10T12:41:24+01:00MOUNTUNE POWERS NAPA RACING UK TO 2022 BTCC TEAMS' TITLEDavid Moore
The mountune-powered Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship team Motorbase Performance celebrated a superb season in the UK’s premier motor racing category in style at the squad’s local track, Brands Hatch, on Sunday, 9th October, by winning the BTCC Teams’ Championship with its NAPA Racing UK entry.
Marking an outstanding achievement in the debut season of NAPA Racing UK, the team – comprised of drivers Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish – won the coveted crown 57 points clear of their nearest rivals. Motorbase Performance/Ford took second in the BTCC Manufacturers’/Constructors’ battle.
Additionally, Sutton ended his maiden campaign with Motorbase and NAPA, and his first since 2016 with a front-wheel drive car, as BTCC Drivers’ Vice-Champion having gone into the last race at the 2.43-mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit still with a chance of securing a fourth career title.
With so much at stake this weekend the action was always set to be peak BTCC and round 28 delivered from the outset. Sutton, from third on the grid, launched well with fellow second row starter Cammish attempting to keep Jake Hill’s rear-wheel drive BMW at bay.
Contact early on left damage which hampered progress, but Sutton held onto third and a pressure-filled race followed which was peppered with contact. Two early Safety Car periods punctuated the action and at the second re-start Sutton was the victim of another hit. In the end, having struggled with speed issues as well, he took fourth after Hill went past on lap 16 and Cammish finished ninth.
From the second row in round 29 Sutton made a great start to shadow title rival Hill, but after a handful of laps he began to lose ground and instead came under immense pressure from Colin Turkington. On lap eight, at Surtees, the BMW went through but Sutton did then somehow manage to maintain fifth to the flag despite more pressure from George Gamble and Adam Morgan’s BMWs.
In the sister NAPA Racing UK car, Cammish lost a couple of places on the first lap to drop to 11th but he fought back well to reclaim both. Climbing into the top 10 on lap four, Cammish took ninth from Bobby Thompson on lap six and then took eighth at the finish due to a time penalty for Gamble.
Going into round 30 third in the driver standings and 14 points shy of the championship lead, Sutton had a huge task ahead of him but he did all he possibly could and raced incredibly hard to battle back from a sluggish start, dropping from sixth to ninth, to climb into the podium placings. In the end, he had to settle for a fighting fourth place but it was enough to claim the Vice-Champion’s spot.
Cammish began the race from third on the grid and instantly grabbed second on the run into Paddock Hill Bend, but after contact from behind forced him wide he dropped to seventh. Again doing a fantastic team job, Cammish kept Sutton’s chief rivals at bay for some time but eventually finished the final round in eighth place.
Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan’s Ollie Jackson started race one from 23rd place in his Ford Focus, resplendent in its new NASCAR themed Valvoline livery, and he made progress up the order into 19th before the second of the Safety Car periods. Gaining another place on lap 14, his race was then run on the next tour when heavy contact at Surtees from one of the Infiniti drivers triggered retirement.
Jackson lined-up alongside his team-mate Sam Osborne for race two, starting in 24th spot, and made steady progress over the first few laps. By the fifth tour he was in 21st position, but soon after he was then on the receiving end of several attacks – dropping to 24th by lap seven but ultimately taking 23rd at the finish to follow Osborne home just 0.6 seconds shy.
Starting 23rd for round 30, Jackson raced well and gained places early on and was into the top 20 before mid-distance. With plenty of action and, unsurprisingly, some contact too he finished the last race of the campaign in 22nd place.
Sam Osborne started off the final weekend of the BTCC season on the backfoot, when a clutch problem ruled him out of the opening practice. With a knock-on impact to qualifying, he had to settle for 27th on the grid for round 28, but in the race he moved up towards the top 20 before an unfortunate excursion at Paddock Hill Bend on the penultimate lap.
In race two, Osborne put together a great first lap to move up from 23rd into the top 20 and he wasn’t done there after taking 19th on lap two. Edged back a position on lap four, Osborne then lost a couple more places during the second half of the 15-lapper to end the contest in 22nd, right on the tail of Michael Crees’ Vauxhall Astra.
The championship finale was the best of the bunch for Osborne with a terrific drive towards the points, just missing out on his second top 15 of the year by 0.6 seconds. Leaping into 18th place on lap one, from 22nd on the grid, Osborne was 17th during an early Safety Car period and raced very impressively to take 16th late on.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “Not quite the fairy tale ending we were all hoping for, but the whole team can hold their heads high this season. Winning the Teams’ Championship is a huge achievement in the BTCC and we proved numerous times this season to be the envy of others with our incredible team spirit. There were a lot of changes over the winter which can often take time to work effectively, but the mixture of the original crew and the new members to the team proved to create a winning formula – a team I’m incredibly proud to be a part of! Congratulations to Tom Ingram and his team on a job well done this season. We now get to concentrate fully on some exciting plans over the winter with NAPA Racing UK and we’re more determined than ever to come back and claim the number ‘1’ back from Tom next year.”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “We gave it our all this weekend, it wasn’t enough unfortunately but the boys and girls at NAPA Racing UK, Motorbase and Mountune have all turned this package around. At the start of the year we had a qualifying car, not a race car, and I think everyone wrote us off to some extent. We’ve proved them wrong being in with a shout of the championship into the last race. We all want the Drivers’ title, but we’ve wrapped up the Teams’ Championship for NAPA and that shows what me and Dan have extracted from the car. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “This day got away from us in a way, I’m disappointed about that. In race one I sort of shot myself in the foot, I was so desperate to help Ash I just over-cooked it and then got caught-up in dramas. I turned the corner for the next one, drove really well and we were racey. Race three, starting third, I thought we’ve got a great chance but I didn’t even make it through Turn Two – you do everything right and then get hit so hard by someone. You think to yourself, what do I have to do? There’s too much lack of respect out there for my liking but, obviously, we’ve won the Teams’ title so there’s a lot to be proud of.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “I kind of thought we’d turned a corner, but we’ve just not had the sweet spot all weekend. I struggled to find a balance on Saturday and didn’t really hook it up for the races. I got beaten up in the first race and second race, I was hoping to make a bit more progress in the third race but it didn’t work out. It’s a shame to have ended the season this way after a positive upturn. There are some positives to take away, more lows than highs – it’s been educational!”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “I’m gutted really we didn’t quite get into the points. If you’d said at the start of the weekend we’d come away with 16th place I would have said ‘no way’. We missed FP1 with a clutch problem, which meant it was an engine-out job and a full strip down, so the guys did an amazing job to get me into FP2. From there, we’re on the backfoot and it was a knock-on effect all weekend. We went quicker and quicker each time we went out, so it’s a shame. I’m looking forward to 2023 now!”
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 2nd Ash Sutton, 382pts; 8th Dan Cammish, 207pts; 22nd Ollie Jackson, 33pts; 25th Sam Osborne, 1pt
2022 BTCC Teams Championship CHAMPIONS: NAPA Racing UK, 582pts; 13th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 40pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 329pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-powered-sutton-moves-into-points-lead-at-silverstone2022-09-26T14:39:50+01:002023-04-23T20:27:18+01:00MOUNTUNE-POWERED SUTTON MOVES INTO POINTS LEAD AT SILVERSTONEDavid Moore
Motorbase Performance will go into next month’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season finale challenging hard for all three of the category’s main titles, thanks to a strong and successful outing at Silverstone National Circuit over the weekend, 24th/25th September.
Following rounds 25, 26 and 27, the Wrotham squad’s NAPA Racing UK entry has opened a healthy 42 point lead in the Teams’ Championship while reigning BTCC Champion Ash Sutton has moved five points clear at the top of the Drivers’ Championship. Motorbase Performance/Ford, meanwhile, is second in the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors title battle.
Sutton initially took over the lead of the driver standings following an action-packed opening race, not least thanks to more selfless teamwork from Dan Cammish – just as he displayed at Thruxton. From fifth on the grid, Cammish made a good start and although slipping to sixth into lap two he moved up to fourth a couple of laps later as the action in the lead bunch became increasingly frenetic.
Sutton, who had slipped to ninth after a sluggish getaway, fought back through and by lap nine the two NAPA Racing UK Fords were sixth and seventh. After a mid-race Safety Car the pair ran nose-to-tail and on the final lap, at Brooklands, Cammish moved aside to allow Sutton to claim sixth and vital extra points – more crucial than ever with erstwhile series leader Colin Turkington not scoring.
Starting sixth and seventh for round 26, Sutton and Cammish immediately gained a place apiece off the line and Sutton then moved into fourth at the end of the first lap. Cammish, meanwhile, was shuffled back to seventh and remained there for the duration while Sutton challenged for third right to the finish, all the while having to soak up huge pressure latterly from title rival Tom Ingram.
Cammish started round 27 from second on the partially reversed grid, with Sutton starting fifth, but the former’s great start was badly hindered almost immediately when pole-starter Josh Cook moved sharply across to the right and Cammish’s Ford Focus brushed the pit wall.
Sutton was able to emerge through it all in second place at Becketts, with Cammish down to fifth, and Sutton remained there throughout for his 12th podium of the year. Cammish battled hard with Cook over fourth place on lap five and although gaining the position with some great determined driving, he was latterly edged to fifth by Jake Hill’s BMW on lap 18.
Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan’s Ollie Jackson experienced a mightily frustrating round 25, after a great qualifying run and a strong first few laps were compromised due to plenty of contact. Starting the race 13th, Jackson ran comfortably in the lead group and climbed to the cusp of the top 10 by lap four. After being put wide, though, and taking more contact he ultimately had to settle for 19th.
Race two went much more smoothly for Jackson, a fantastic drive from the 10th row of the grid almost delivering a deserved top 10 result. Slicing through the order superbly during the opening laps, by the fourth tour he was 12th and running brilliantly. Following the second of two Safety Car periods Jackson was 11th – due to Ricky Collard’s Toyota expiring in flames – where he stayed.
Round 27 was even better, Jackson moved up from 11th into seventh on a terrific opening lap and although passed by Tom Chilton into lap four Jackson managed to get ahead of Adam Morgan so remained seventh. Following the first of two Safety Car periods Jackson was challenged by Gordon Shedden and Jake Hill so slipped to ninth, but held off all other challengers to match his season best.
Osborne had a lot of work to do in race one from 26th on the grid but battled hard, and emerged from an incident-packed contest with a top 20 result just behind his team-mate. Gaining three spots on lap one alone, during the middle of the race the battle see-sawed but Osborne secured 20th with a couple of laps to go, and also his sixth top three result of the year in the Jack Sears Trophy class.
The start of round 26 didn’t go as intended for Osborne, dropping to almost the tail of the field after more contact not of his making. But from 27th place on lap three, he maintained his concentration and gradually worked his way back through to finish in 23rd position. In the final race he was again a magnet for contact from rivals, but eventually managed to bring his Ford Focus home in 21st place.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “Another great weekend as we get another step closer to the end of this season. There was some good teamwork on Saturday, the drivers and crews working together for a tow helped in qualifying which was important for this weekend. Then working together again in the races has ultimately given us a small edge over the competition going into the last weekend. In the BTCC the smallest margin can be just enough. As tight as it is, it’s awesome to be going into the final round leading the Drivers’ Championship and leading the Teams’ Championship. Now it’s our job to make sure it’s the same leaving Brands Hatch!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “It’s like it’s been scripted all year hasn’t it, let’s be honest! It couldn’t be any tighter, you’ve got a great combination [at the top of the championship] of two front-wheel drive cars and a rear-wheel drive car. Brands is our home circuit for the team and we’ve had a mega weekend here, so I’m looking forward to Brands. We’re in a really good place with the car, the second half of the season I’ve felt at one with it. We’ve been able to dial it in, tweak it, chip away at it and it’s got us into the championship lead. I couldn’t have asked for any more going into the final round.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “This weekend reminded me of Oulton Park, we’ve been nicely well inside the top 10 all day but just not quite quick enough to mix it with the top four – we struggled to unlock that last little bit we needed. Race three was my big chance, it all happened so fast at the start and I think I did just brush the wall but Josh [Cook] apologised afterwards. Without that, it might have been different. I played the team role again in race one to help Ash [Sutton] and as a team we’ve scored really well with both cars, it’s been a great weekend again for NAPA Racing UK.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “I could’ve done without the punt in race one, but we’ve had good pace all weekend and I’m finally starting to get a handle on this Hybrid car. Races two and three were very strong. In the last race, when [Tom] Chilton got in front I decided I wasn’t going any further forward – I’d been up in sixth or seventh at one point – so I was a bit more defensive and playing the team game there to keep the other guys behind. We’re definitely getting better rocking up with a car that just needs tweaks, not major changes. I’m definitely feeling positive for Brands.”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “There was so much contact this weekend, smashing the steering about in all three races. It feels like the more racing room you give, the more they take advantage and just don’t care about driving into you. I always pride myself on being one of the cleanest drivers out there, so it’s frustrating when things happen like that. It is what it is though. We’re still not quite there coping with the extra weight of the Hybrid, it’s only little steps we need to make though until everything clicks.”
Motorbase’s home track, Brands Hatch in Kent, will host the BTCC season finale over the weekend 8th/9th October. Rounds 28, 29 and 30 will be contested on the full length Grand Prix Circuit.
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 1st Ash Sutton, 345pts; 8th Dan Cammish, 184pts; 22nd Ollie Jackson, 33pts; 25th Sam Osborne, 1pt
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 1st NAPA Racing UK, 522pts; 13th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 40pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 305pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/remarkable-thruxton-weekend-for-mountune-powered-napa-racing-uk2022-08-31T10:34:17+01:002022-08-31T10:34:17+01:00REMARKABLE THRUXTON WEEKEND FOR MOUNTUNE-POWERED NAPA RACING UK David Moore
Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton delivered a dream set of results for NAPA Racing UK at ultra-fast Thruxton over the weekend, 27th/28th August, with a race victory apiece and combined total of four podiums as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship enters the business end of the season.
Over the course of a fabulous couple of days in Hampshire for the Motorbase Performance-run team, Cammish finally achieved his long-awaited first win of the season, and in some style too, with a faultless lights-to-flag drive in round 22 at the wheel of the No.9 mountune-powered Ford Focus ST.
Converting his superb race one pole position, NAPA Racing UK’s first in the BTCC, into a textbook win, Cammish was on course to do the double in round 23 but played the perfect team game in allowing title contender Sutton – who also had fastest lap – to go through on the penultimate tour.
Sutton, who ensured a NAPA Racing UK podium double in race one with third place after an action packed first few corners where he was momentarily second having started fourth, duly took his third victory of the campaign in his landmark 200th BTCC race in the second contest. With team player Cammish following home in second, it marked the first one-two for NAPA Racing UK in the BTCC.
In round 24, Sutton charged through expertly from 11th on the grid to finish in fifth position and wasn’t all that far away from another podium. Cammish started in 10th place and did rise into ninth, but was edged back to 10th late on.
With just two race meetings remaining this season, at Silverstone National Circuit and Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, reigning champion Sutton is second in the championship and just six points shy of leader Colin Turkington. Cammish’s best weekend of the season has elevated him into the top eight.
In the BTCC Teams Championship, NAPA Racing UK is back into second place after Thruxton and only four points shy of the top of the table. Motorbase Performance/Ford is also second in the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors Championship.
It was a mixed weekend for the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan drivers, although Ollie Jackson did chalk-up more points with a competitive drive to 14th place in an action-packed round 24. Raceday began with Jackson 24th on the grid for round 22, after his best lap time in qualifying was debatably disallowed, and he made good early progress before finishing in a strong 18th position.
In race two, Jackson was in the thick of the action again and especially during the latter stages where he was embroiled in a very close battle with Jason Plato. He looked on course for potential points but had to settle for 17th after some contact. Aiming for more in round 24, he delivered with a great drive to 14th position – including a quality move on Aiden Moffat into the fearsome Church corner.
Team-mate Sam Osborne started off with 23rd place in round 22, an improvement of two positions on his starting slot. Moving up the order early on and progressing towards the top 20, Osborne lost out in a multi-car melee on lap 10 and ultimately ended the race in 23rd position.
In round 23 the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan racer chalked-up a top 20 finish after steadily working his way up the order but round 24 came to an early conclusion on only the second tour, after he was the helpless victim of contact into the complex which ruled him out on the spot.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “What a weekend! It’s been coming and this weekend it all came together. Highest scoring two drivers, team and manufacturer of the weekend, it doesn’t get much better than that! Dan has been exceptional all weekend and was rewarded with pole and his first win, he was unbeatable. It was also a fantastic weekend for Ash, a win, podium and top five in the reverse grid race has him right up there in the championship as we get closer to the decider. For my role in the team it’s essential to have a team and, in particular, drivers who are the whole package – they’re rarer than you might think. This weekend proved to me more than ever, I have the best in the pitlane!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “If you need a teammate Dan [Cammish] is the man for that. He’s shown that he’s supporting the campaign and what we’re trying to do as an outfit and hopefully soon I can repay the favour. We got the fastest lap in at the start, I let Dan get some air, and then I tried to focus on getting a mix going on behind me. When [Gordon] Shedden and [Jake] Hill started battling I thought ‘right, let’s crack on’ and then the call came to switch positions.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “To finally take our first win of the season, and to do it in the manner we did from pole, is fantastic and especially after such a long time coming – it’s a great reward for everyone who has kept the faith. We took an amazing pole in qualifying, the first for NAPA Racing UK, and it was a great start to race one which I was really happy about. In race two, it was all about what was best for the team and for the championship. I did everything right, it would’ve been two wins from two, but at the end of the day it’s a team game and it was the right choice to make.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “We had a bit of a nightmare with qualifying, our best lap was disallowed – which really shouldn’t have been – and that altered the course of the weekend as we started further back than we should have. We struggled to find a balance, we only really got there for race three, but we still made some progress and then came away with a couple of points from a good final race. Thruxton isn’t my best track, so to still come away with some decent finishes is pretty pleasing.”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “I didn’t qualify very well, unfortunately, and that set the tone for the weekend really. We didn’t race too badly in the first two, then in race three I got tangled up in someone else’s mess. Two cars a fair way behind me going into the complex tangled, there was nowhere I could go because of cars in front of me, and my right-rear got hit which caused a lot of damage and that was game over. It’s a shame it ended that way, onwards and upwards now for Silverstone.”
Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the BTCC season, the penultimate race meeting of the campaign, will take place at Silverstone National Circuit in Northamptonshire over the weekend 24th/25th September.
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 2nd Ash Sutton, 305pts; 8th Dan Cammish, 155pts; 22nd Ollie Jackson, 21pts; 25 Sam Osborne, 1pt
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 2nd NAPA Racing UK, 453pts; 13th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 27pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 268pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/first-btcc-win-for-napa-racing-uk-after-spectacular-knockhill-drive-from-sutton2022-08-01T15:06:00+01:002022-08-01T15:09:04+01:00FIRST BTCC WIN FOR NAPA RACING UK AFTER SPECTACULAR KNOCKHILL DRIVE FROM SUTTONDavid Moore
mountune-powered NAPA Racing UK celebrated its maiden race victory in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill Circuit in Scotland on Sunday, 31st July, after a remarkable drive from Ash Sutton sealed a very popular win for the Motorbase Performance run entry in round 17 of the season.
After delivering his best qualifying performance of 2022 with the second fastest time in Saturday afternoon’s session, his Ford Focus ST the only front-wheel drive car in the top six, Sutton served up a monumental drive in round 16 on Sunday. Pressuring pole qualifier Jake Hill from the outset, into lap two Sutton braked impossibly late on the outside into Duffus Dip and superbly grabbed the lead.
Staying ahead of the BMW for the next five laps, Hill got back ahead into Duffus on lap eight but Sutton refused to cede and with immense commitment he moved back ahead into McIntyres. On lap 10, though, Hill had the run into the first turn and Sutton had to give way, eventually finishing second on lap 24 after soaking up immense pressure later on from Colin Turkington’s BMW.
Lining-up on the front row again for round 17, Sutton held second off the start and after an early Safety Car period his opportunity came on lap five when leader Hill ran wide at the chicane. Sutton sliced past and was never headed all the way to the flag on lap 26 despite huge pressure, although contact from Hill’s BMW on the run uphill to the finish line did result in a heart-in-mouth moment.
In round 18, Sutton capped off the weekend north of the border with a top five result and he was in the mix for the podium again during the closing stages. He ends the event third in the championship standings and just six points shy of the series lead.
Just three tenths of a second in qualifying meant the difference between a front-row start for race one and 10th on the grid for Dan Cammish, and the NAPA Racing UK driver produced two clean and solid drives in races one and two. Climbing into eighth early in round 16, he was edged back to ninth by the Honda of Gordon Shedden around mid-distance and stayed there to the chequered flag.
In round 17 Cammish again made early progress, climbing into eighth on the first lap, before the Safety Car was required. After the resumption on lap four he moved up into seventh and pressured Shedden lap after lap, but late on he was bundled back to ninth place.
Hopes of a hat-trick of solid finishes were dashed almost immediately in round 18 when he was wiped out of the race at the exit of McIntyres on the opening lap. Starting well from ninth, as Cammish headed into the second corner his car was hit by Shedden’s Honda after it had been in contact with Tom Ingram’s Hyundai. Retirement for Cammish, with broken suspension, was instant.
Sam Osborne was close to points results in the first two races, strong drives in each bringing him 17th place in both encounters. Starting round 16 from 23rd on the grid, the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan driver made great progress during the first half of the race to move inside the top 20 and raced hard to take 17th position before the finish.
From the ninth row in round 17 Osborne broke into the top 15 on lap one before the Safety Car period, and although slipping back to 19th place a few laps after the re-start he fought back into 17th again before the flag on lap 26. Changes to his car’s set-up for round 18 didn’t work as desired, and so he had to settle for 23rd place.
Team-mate Ollie Jackson, who was 26th in qualifying after an engine bay fire late in the session, didn’t get raceday off to the start he wanted when contact on lap three undid early progress. He did work his way back into 21st at the finish, but a five second penalty dropped him to 23rd.
Race two delivered an improved 21st place result, a strong recovery from Jackson after having to pit at the end of lap one following an enforced excursion across the grass and through some advertising hoarding. In round 18 he moved from 21st into 18th on lap one, but slipped back to 21st during the closing stages.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “What a fantastic result for the whole team! We’ve been knocking on the door all season with a bunch of P2 and P3 finishes, but the win is what the whole team always want to be celebrating. Ash was outstanding all weekend, from that lap in qualifying through to raceday he was just on a different playing field to the other FWD cars. The RWD cars always have a bit of an edge at Knockhill, so to get the win like that at a RWD circuit hopefully bodes well when we get to a more level playing field. We’re looking forward to Snetterton already!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “To take our first win of the season, and NAPA Racing UK’s first in touring cars, is fantastic and especially against all of the BMWs. It was made a little bit easier with Jake’s [Hill] mistake at the chicane, I think he was just trying to match what we were capable of doing through there and that’s been our strongest thing all weekend so I just focused on that and gave it full send every lap. Over the last few laps the front tyres had just had enough, and I was getting to that point as well! I was not letting that one go, I’m just pleased we got the first win for NAPA Racing UK.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “We just can’t seem to catch a break at the moment, no matter what we do we just can’t seem to get the car where I need it to be. We’ve shown on several occasions we’ve got the pace, the tyre test at Snetterton proved that, but in the races this weekend we struggled again to be able to compete how we should. I’m made up for Ash and everyone at NAPA Racing UK and Motorbase with the win, just disappointed the weekend on my side wasn’t better. Races one and two were solid finishes, nothing I could do in race three – again, wrong place at the wrong time. We’ll keep pushing!”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “Not the weekend we hoped for after a part failure put pay to qualifying which unfortunately set the tone for the weekend. We have definitely learnt more about the car since mid season testing and being my old local circuit, I look forward to going back to Snetterton in a couple of weeks time to hopefully get back on track. Great work by the Motorbase team as always and congratulations to Ash on a superb drive for the first win of the season for the team.
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “We just didn’t have the full-on pace in the car, we had the car – it was handling well and I could race with people – but just not the pace we needed. It’s been a bit of a gutting weekend really, the car felt pointy in the first race and we made some progress but when I realised we were 17th it was a bit disappointing. We regrouped for race two, same result, and so loosened the car up for race three but lost our way a little bit. I feel I drove the proverbial socks off it, a few airborne moments at Turn One which were spectacular for the pictures, but not so much for points and trophies!”
There is only a fortnight to wait until the BTCC resumes for rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the season, over the weekend 13th/14th August, at Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk.
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 3rd Ash Sutton, 221pts; 11th Dan Cammish, 100pts; 22nd Ollie Jackson, 9pts; 25th Sam Osborne, 1pt
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 3rd NAPA Racing UK, 321pts; 13th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 14pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 205pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-powered-motorbase-ford-take-btcc-manufacturer-lead-at-oulton2022-06-13T14:18:59+01:002022-06-13T14:18:59+01:00MOUNTUNE-POWERED MOTORBASE/FORD TAKE BTCC MANUFACTURER LEAD AT OULTONDavid Moore
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship team Motorbase Performance moved into the lead of the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors Championship at Oulton Park Island Circuit on Sunday, 12th June, after a consistently strong weekend for NAPA Racing UK team-mates Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish.
mountune-powered reigning BTCC Champion Sutton continued his terrific podium momentum from the previous event at Thruxton, racing to the runner-up spot in rounds 10 and 11 in Cheshire. He departed Oulton third in the driver standings with NAPA Racing UK second in the Teams Championship.
Qualifying fifth fastest for round 10, even with only 1.5 seconds of hybrid boost available due to his championship placing, the Ford Focus ST driver duly converted it into his fifth podium. Moving into fourth at Island Bend on lap one, an even more impressive pass there on lap nine sealed third place. On lap 15, a simply stunning move on the outside of Cascades and into Island ensured second.
From the front row in round 11, Sutton pushed hard over the opening laps to pressure pole-starter Tom Ingram. In the end settling for second, Sutton also took the bonus point for fastest lap with a time of 1m26.132s (93.03mph). Unfortunately, round 12 didn’t go to plan when he had to avoid a multi-car incident on the first lap. After an enforced pit-stop, he carved through to 16th position.
Cammish began race one, his landmark 100th BTCC start, seventh after having a top three time in qualifying disallowed for track limits – not that he could do anything about the clumps of mud which had been dragged onto the circuit by another car at Old Hall before he arrived for his final flying lap!
Moving into sixth at the end of lap four, he took fifth on lap 11 but was then edged back to sixth on lap 15. Post-race, though, a penalty for Gordon Shedden moved Cammish back up to fifth. Starting round 11 from the head of the third row, he maintained position until lap 10 when a forceful move and resultant contact from Shedden at Island Bend elbowed Cammish to sixth where he stayed.
Lining-up seventh on the partially reversed grid for round 12, the NAPA Racing UK driver started well and controlled his car impressively after taking a significant knock when competitors sought to avoid the lap one accident at Hill Top. Remaining seventh to the flag on lap 18, he was elevated into sixth due to a penalty for Ricky Collard.
Osborne started off his weekend strongly by only just missing his target top 15 in qualifying, and from 16th on the grid in round 10 he climbed into 14th – despite some robust action – before the early Safety Car period. Set for another outright points finish, contact on lap 13 led to a drop to 19th position where he concluded the race.
In round 11 Osborne made progress during the early exchanges, climbing into 18th position, but he ultimately finished in 21st place after more questionable driving from rivals – just pipping Ash Hand on the line after they traded paint out of Lodge for the final time. Round 12 had an even more vexing conclusion when his Ford was put into the barriers at the exit of Island on lap six, instant retirement.
Team-mate Jackson shared similar fortunes to Osborne across the first two races, starting well from 18th on the grid in round 10 – only 0.8 seconds shy of pole in qualifying – and moving into the top 15 ahead of the Safety Car period. With the two Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan cars running together in the thick of the action, Jackson was then bundled down the order on lap 10 and finished 20th.
Putting together a great opening lap in race two, Jackson gained four places to move into 16th spot but things unraveled and he ended a tough contest in 24th place. After making some changes to the set-up, the car was much improved for round 12 and he delivered a fantastic drive from 24th on the grid into 14th position – racing hard against the likes of title contenders Sutton and Jake Hill.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “Leading Manufacturer/Constructer, leading the Teams Championship, third overall and we came away with the Teams’ trophy for the weekend – I would say that’s a pretty good weekend! Dan took a great, solid trio of top sixes which was a nice reward after just missing out on his P3 pace in qualifying. It also shows how important qualifying results are, especially around Oulton.
“Mega for Ash getting two P2 finishes and pulling off some great moves in race one, only tarnished with a chunk of bad luck in race three avoiding the incident. That said, it could have been a lot worse, like everyone in the paddock we’re just glad to see all the drivers involved walk away relatively unscathed from a pretty big shunt.
“Once again, I just don’t know what both Ollie and Sam need to do to catch a break, they both had the pace for some great results this weekend but for various reasons the potential wasn’t reflected in the results. It was great to see Ollie in the thick of the action in race three, it looked like he enjoyed that one!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “To score two podium finishes is mega but it’s a little bittersweet as the hard work of races one and two was slightly undone by the result in race three. That said, we’re still in the mix towards the top of the standings and that’s what it’s about at this stage. Huge credit has to go to the whole NAPA Racing UK team, that is the best the car felt in race trim this season – we’re really starting to find the sweet spot now with the Ford. I’m looking forward to heading up to Croft next as it’s a circuit I’ve always enjoyed and one that the car should go well around. I’m confident we should be strong and I’ll be gunning for that first win of the season.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “The team has done a great, consistent job again this weekend and it’s great to get some points on the board with three strong results. We missed that last little bit of speed but we made the best of what we had all weekend and we’ve moved up the championship which is important after so much bad luck so far this season. Hopefully we can make a bigger step at Croft and be back in the fight for the podium there.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “We were fighting hard for the first two races, I made good starts and got some places, but the car wasn’t where we wanted it. We made a couple of changes to the car for race three and it was transformed, I could fight through and stay there. It was nice to be competing with a couple of quick people coming through as well and I think the changes we made will make a difference for Croft too, helping to improve the weight distribution in the car.”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “We’re making progress, the results don’t reflect what we achieved. The way we keep developing the car is amazing, the team is doing some incredible work. The raw pace in the car over one lap is there, we just have a bit more to do with the race set-up. I’m in that curse around the top 15 at the minute, there’s some pure desperation from some drivers and we ended up with very unnecessary contact this weekend. I’m looking forward to Croft now, hopefully we can do well like last year.”
Croft Circuit, near Darlington in North Yorkshire, will host rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the BTCC season just two weeks from now over the weekend 25th/26th June. During the two days prior to the Croft meeting, NAPA Racing UK driver Dan Cammish will appear at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship presence at the world-renowned event.
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 2nd NAPA Racing UK, 223pts 13th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 12pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 131pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/podium-hat-trick-for-mountune-powered-sutton2022-05-30T20:25:55+01:002022-05-30T20:26:04+01:00PODIUM HAT-TRICK FOR MOUNTUNE-POWERED SUTTONDavid Moore
mountune-powered Motorbase Performance celebrated more Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship podium success at Thruxton Circuit on Sunday, 29th May, with NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton wrapping up a hat-trick of top three finishes and, as a result, moving into second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Fifth fastest in qualifying at the Hampshire speedbowl on Saturday, 28th May, just 0.055 seconds shy of the second row, Sutton started round seven well and moved up into third by the time the field exited the complex. Soaking up pressure well race-long, he sealed his second podium of the season.
From third on the grid in round eight, the reigning BTCC Champion challenged for second into Allard before settling into third where he remained. Beginning round nine from fifth, Sutton moved up into fourth on lap one and then third on the second tour. Repelling big pressure mid-race, he pulled away to seal third again – thinking better of a late bid for second at the chicane on the final lap.
Conversely, team-mate Dan Cammish endured a nightmarish raceday after things had begun very well in qualifying with the third fastest time – a mere 0.081 seconds shy of pole. His hopes in round seven were ended midway around the opening lap when his mountune-powered Ford Focus ST was barged off the track. After making it back to the pits, he rejoined and finished in 25th and only just missed the fastest lap.
Dan Cammish (left) and Ash Sutton
Facing a tough challenge in round eight from the 13th row of the grid, Cammish worked his way through into an 18th place finish. In the final encounter, though, more contact – this time at the chicane on lap 10 – meant a finish of 20th position. Truly a weekend of what might have been.
Sam Osborne raced to his first outright championship point of the season for Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan in round nine, a very hard-fought and competitive drive from 23rd on the grid into the top 15.
Frustratingly missing out on a potential starting slot inside the top 15 for race one, after being baulked in qualifying by a car slowly exiting the chicane, Osborne began round seven in 22nd position and finished in 19th place. In round eight, an unfortunate drive-through penalty limited Osborne to 24th position.
Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan team-mate Ollie Jackson encountered a vexing weekend, starting with retirement from round seven due to power issues. Meaning a required engine change for round eight, the Motorbase mechanics worked impressively and got Jackson’s Ford Focus ST into the second race with a handful of laps remaining – enabling him to bed the car in for round nine.
Starting the last race at the back of the grid in 28th place, Jackson produced a solid performance to gain no fewer than 10 positions and conclude the last encounter in 18th place – bringing a positive conclusion to the Thruxton event.
Ash Sutton – Thruxton Podium
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “What a weekend of highs and lows! It was an absolutely fantastic weekend for Ash with a podium in all three races, and especially to get the result in race three with a great drive. That keeps him in a great position in the championship. Unfortunately, after a mega effort in qualifying, Dan’s weekend was blown apart on lap one in the first race – it’s really difficult to come back through at Thruxton, even more so with some questionable driving by some others on the grid! But Dan had the front runners’ pace all weekend which is rewarding, but also even more frustrating at the same time.
“Much like Dan, Ollie and Sam both had a case of could have been this weekend. Sam ended up being out of position on the grid because his qualifying efforts were ruined through no fault of his own and Ollie suffered a bizarre issue in race one which cost him a weekend of results. They will all bounce back at Oulton I’m sure, the car was another step forward as we continue to develop and learn with the new Hybrid era.”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “I enjoyed that one [race three], I felt at one with the car – the car was really good, another podium! I didn’t know what to expect, we made a couple of changes and it was the right way for sure. If we can roll over what we’ve been learning this weekend, and coming into this weekend, and maybe do a bit more of that then we are going in the right direction. So, I’m looking forward to Oulton Park. It’s attacking, it’s my style, so hopefully we can get the car dialled in.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “What can you say about a weekend like that? If it could go wrong it did, but that’s racing sometimes and no matter what you do you get caught-up in other people’s incidents. It’s frustrating as we were quick in qualifying, so close to pole for race one, but the races were obviously a disaster. It makes us more determined than ever though to hit back stronger at Oulton Park in a couple of weeks, I hope we can have better luck there.”
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 2nd Ash Sutton, 116pts; 13th Dan Cammish, 41pts; 20th Ollie Jackson, 6pts; 23rd Sam Osborne, 1pt
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 3rd NAPA Racing UK, 158pts; 12th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 10pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 105pts
Ollie Jackson
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/more-silverware-for-motorbase-and-napa-racing-uk-at-rain-hit-brands-hatch2022-05-16T15:35:02+01:002022-05-30T19:34:14+01:00DOUBLE-PODIUM FOR DAN CAMMISH AND NAPPA RACING UK AT RAIN-HIT BRANDS HATCHDavid Moore
mountune-powered Dan Cammish got his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign back on track at a wet Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on Sunday, 15th May, after racing to a brace of fantastic podium finishes in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST.
Taking his first podium result for the Motorbase Performance-run squad in a damp fourth round, Cammish – who had qualified eighth fastest and just 0.2 seconds shy of pole – finished in a terrific third place.
Going one better in a slippery round five, Cammish raced to second position and was tantalisingly just 0.2 seconds shy of the victory. He wrapped up the second weekend of the BTCC season with another top 10 in the finale.
Ash Sutton overturned a very tough qualifying to secure a great haul of points on raceday and maintain third in the championship, beginning by storming through from 18th on the grid to finish an impressive ninth in race one.
The reigning champion then moved through from ninth to fourth place in the second contest, another very strong drive, and then took sixth in round six to round-out a positive raceday. NAPA Racing UK was the top scoring entrant in round five and Motorbase and Ford were the winning manufacturer and constructor.
Ollie Jackson achieved a pair of points results with a season-best 14th for the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan entry in round five, having started 23rd on the grid as per his round four result, before bettering it with a very competitive top 12 finish in round six.
In the sister Ford Focus, Osborne took the flag in race one just behind Jackson in 24th spot and improved in race two with a top 20 finish. Racing well in the third encounter, Osborne was into 18th position by lap seven and after some mid-race position changing he reclaimed the place.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “What a weekend! After a difficult qualifying session, the team worked wonders to make the cars as competitive as we were all day on Sunday. I’m especially pleased for Dan, in tricky conditions, he had a fantastic day moving forward from his grid spot in every race and was so close to the win in race two.
“Those conditions are always hard for the drivers and engineers, we’re forced to make difficult, late decisions because of the unpredictable weather. Then the crew have to work super-fast to make the relevant changes, not to mention the drivers who then have to drive a strategic race to look after their tyres and predict whether or not the track is going to dry more or if it’s going to rain again. Throughout the team and throughout the day our whole team did this brilliantly and fully deserve the trophies we won including the Teams’ trophy – always a nice one to win.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “I was really pleased with race one, it was a tough old race – seeing how it ebbed and flowed – and it’s about the third time I’ve been at Brands Indy where conditions are flipping on a coin. We had more dry bias in the car and it just got better and better. It was a similar story in race two, three quarters of the race we were hanging in there and suddenly my car switched on. It really was like a switch flicked, with one more lap I think that could’ve been my win. It’s fantastic to get two podiums and some points on the board for my championship, this is the start of my season.”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “Considering where we were after qualifying on Saturday I’m pretty happy to come away with three top 10 finishes and still sitting third in the championship. I’d say we were helped a little bit by the weather on Sunday, but the car certainly felt better and I was able to make progress in all three races. Next, we’re off to Thruxton and I’m looking forward to seeing how we get on there. I think the hybrid deployment and its impact will be quite interesting. The car should be strong there – it certainly was at the Season Launch – so I’m confident we can get amongst it.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “It’s good to get some points this weekend. To be fair, the biggest problem we had was we went the wrong way with the set-up in qualifying and for race one. I switched closer to Dan’s set-up for race two, as that obviously worked, and it was much better. The track conditions were pretty consistent lap to lap in each race really, the resurfaced area of track was a lot grippier but it didn’t seem like anybody’s car worked on both. Some were stronger on the newer bits, some on the older parts.”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “The conditions were tough, it’s been a tough weekend overall to be honest. As the track gripped up we kind of started losing the front, that’s something we’ve been struggling with, and so we haven’t been able to get the power down. It’s been a tricky weekend so we’ll have to regroup now and have a think on how we can move forward, I know the guys in the team will put us in the right direction.”
Hampshire’s Thruxton Circuit will host the first of two visits by the BTCC this year a fortnight from now, over the weekend 28th/29th May, for rounds seven, eight and nine of the 2022 season.
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship 3rd Ash Sutton, 71pts; 11th Dan Cammish, 41pts; 19th Ollie Jackson, 6pts; No Score – Sam Osborne
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 2nd NAPA Racing UK, 113pts; 12th Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 8pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 4th Sam Osborne, 69pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/donington-podium-for-sutton-in-btcc-opener2022-04-25T15:09:26+01:002022-04-25T15:09:52+01:00DONINGTON PODIUM FOR SUTTON IN BTCC OPENERDavid Moore
Reigning Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion Ash Sutton wrapped-up the opening event of the 2022 season with a second place finish at Donington Park National Circuit on Sunday, 24th April, to ensure a fantastic podium for the NAPA Racing UK entry on its first weekend in the championship.
Qualifying third fastest for his first race with the hybrid mountune-powered front-wheel drive Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus ST, Sutton claimed fourth in round one, sixth in round two and then impressed further in the final race with the runner-up spot – just a couple of seconds shy of the win.
Conversely, team-mate Dan Cammish’s fortunes on his first weekend with NAPA Racing UK couldn’t have been more different after a luckless car fire in qualifying on Saturday, 23rd April, caused by a split fuel line, almost ended his Donington challenge before it truly started.
Mounting a Herculean effort to repair the No.9 Ford for raceday, the Motorbase mechanics worked through the night until three o’clock on Sunday morning before then returning to the track at 07.00 to continue the reassembly. Ensuring Cammish was on the grid for round one, from 28th and last he charged to 16th place. His weekend best of 13th came in round three after a race two puncture.
Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson also experienced misfortune on raceday, the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan pairing each encountering throttle-related problems. For Jackson, this led to retirements from both rounds one and two, although in round three he posted a 19th place finish. Osborne, who starred in qualifying with the 13th fastest time, delivered his weekend best of 17th in race three.
Dan Cammish
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager: “What a weekend! I think we covered most of the emotions available in the last two days. Firstly, a huge thanks to the whole team to turn around what was a monumental task on Dan’s car from the fire on Saturday and the marshals who were on the scene. That’s the last thing we could have done with at the first round but, as always, the main thing is that Dan reacted quickly and got out unharmed and then the Motorbase crew worked through the night to turn it all around.
“Great results for Ash on race day to put him P3 in the championship, he drove in the manner we’ve seen in recent years which has helped him win championships and he got a solid start to this year’s campaign this weekend. Unfortunately, we couldn’t unlock the race pace from the car for Dan. The one lap pace from the Focus is fantastic, we just need to work on keeping the tyres alive for longer.
“Ollie and Sam were just unbelievably unlucky with problems beyond the team’s control. It seems like a simple software update has affected our throttle system which has cost Ollie and Sam some good points finishes. NAPA Racing UK have their first podium in the bank and now we head to Brands aiming for much more.”
Ollie Jackson ahead of Sam Osborne
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1: “We’ve been playing catch up which is a shame because yesterday [Saturday] the one-lap pace was phenomenal, it’s just getting back into front-wheel drive. We’re learning things so I’m pleased with that, we deserved it with what the boys have been putting into it, especially from Dan’s car as well, obviously they’ve done a tremendous job. So, from NAPA Racing UK, a sterling job. We’ve now got some more data and it’s about learning – what do we need to do now to try and unlock a bit more.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9: “It’s been a tough first weekend for us, but everybody has worked so hard and I can’t thank the boys enough for getting my car onto the grid for the first race. The fire in qualifying was devastating, after looking at the damage it had caused then you really couldn’t have expected we’d be ready for race one. Everyone at NAPA Racing UK and Motorbase put in so much and I’m thankful we were able to get some important data in the races. We’ll build from here and come back stronger at Brands.”
Ash Sutton
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48: “Definitely a weekend to forget all round unfortunately, a software issue caused a premature end to both races one and two before tyre damage put an end to good progress through the field in race three. We had strong pace but when the vibration appeared I backed right off to bring it home and give the boys one hard earned finish for the weekend. Thanks to Jenner, my engineer, and the guys this weekend. Despite the challenges they kept their spirits up and worked immensely hard as well as supporting the whole Motorbase Performance team working tirelessly to get Dan’s car back out on track on Sunday – a huge effort guys, well done!”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77: “It’s disappointing we had the throttle problem in two of the races, but I’m actually feeling pretty positive about things as we showed really strong pace in qualifying and race one especially. The whole team has done a fantastic job, we were just unlucky with a few things here at Donington this weekend but that’s how it goes sometimes in racing. I’m looking forward to Brands now.”
Rounds four, five and six of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season will take place at Motorbase’s home track, Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent, over the weekend 14th/15th May.
2022 BTCC Teams Championship 4th NAPA Racing UK, 44pts; Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, 0pts
2022 Jack Sears Trophy 5th Sam Osborne, 35pts
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-partners-with-lm-performance-and-liqui-moly2022-03-01T10:30:03+00:002022-05-30T19:33:49+01:00MOUNTUNE PARTNERS WITH LM PERFORMANCE AND LIQUI MOLYDavid Moore
Founded by former British Touring Car Champion Robb Gravett and joined by business partner and fellow petrolhead Jeremy Aston-Phillips, LM Performance is a Liqui Moly UK partner, bringing the pick of Liqui Moly’s 4,000-strong product range to the UK market.
“David and I got together a long time ago and achieved a lot of success,” Gravett recalls. “Now, with the Liqui Moly products being so good, and mountune being so impressed by the results that they’ve achieved with them, this new relationship has the same feel about it, so it’s great to be joining forces again.”
mountune have tested Liqui Moly’s 10W-60 Race Tech GT1 oil on a dynamometer for 24 hours and were delighted with the outcome, as mountune founder David Mountain explains: “Having run an extensive engine dyno and car test of the Liqui Moly oil and Cera Tec additive on a race engine, we found the performance of the products to be excellent. After the addition of the Cera Tec, we also noticed an increase in horsepower which is something that we’ve never seen before from an additive. In addition to that, we also tested a variety of products in our engine shop and have been very impressed with the quality of the Liqui Moly assembly lubes and other workshop products.”
So much so, that selected products from the Liqui Moly range have now been tested, used and endorsed by both the racing and road divisons and are also available to purchase online now, thanks to the exclusive supply deal with LM Performance.
Liqui Moly are among the market leaders in reducing friction in the engine and drivetrain, enhancing performance and longevity while reducing emissions and fuel consumption and now, they're also endorsed by mountune!
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/reigning-and-three-time-btcc-champion-ash-sutton-joins-napa-racing-for-2022-btcc-title-defence2021-12-21T13:51:59+00:002021-12-21T17:18:17+00:00REIGNING BTCC CHAMPION ASH SUTTON JOINS NAPA RACING FOR 2022 BTCC TITLE DEFENCEDavid Moore
Three-time, and current, Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion Ash Sutton will defend his crown in 2022 in NAPA Racing colours after today being confirmed at the mountune-powered Motorbase Performance-run team for the eagerly awaited new season.
In headline-grabbing news of gigantic proportions, the 27-year-old driver from Bishops Stortford will team-up with multiple race-winning touring car returnee Dan Cammish at NAPA Racing UK in, what will arguably be, the most exciting driver pairing on next year’s capacity BTCC grid.
Sutton, of course, needs no introduction to fans of the UK’s premier motor racing category – not simply due to his three sensational title triumphs, in 2017, 2020 and 2021, but also thanks to his incredible, all-attack driving style which has made him one of the most popular drivers in the UK.
Next season will certainly bring new challenges for Sutton with a switch to front-wheel drive in the NAPA Racing liveried Ford Focus ST. Having won all three of his titles in the BTCC in rear-wheel drive, he is hungry to show he can achieve similar success in FWD.
Aiming to make it four championship victories and three back-to-back, if he can achieve the latter Sutton will become the first BTCC driver since Andy Rouse in the mid-1980s to do so. Intriguingly, Rouse’s last BTCC crown in 1985 came at the wheel of a Ford…
Sutton debuted in the BTCC in 2016, as the reigning Renault UK Clio Cup Champion, and quickly proved he was a star in the making with a maiden race win. In his sophomore season, he claimed a famous championship victory and in doing so became the youngest BTCC title winner since 1966.
Winning races and claiming numerous podiums over the next two seasons, in 2020 he won his second championship crown – as well as the Independents Trophy Championship – and sealed his third outright BTCC title in style just a couple of months ago with victory in the final race of the 2021 season at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.
NAPA Racing has certainly set its stall out impressively ahead of its maiden year as an entrant in the BTCC, and with Sutton and Cammish set to push each other on throughout the 2022 season there is immense potential for the Motorbase-run squad. The Wrotham-based team’s four car line-up for next season is now complete, with Ollie Jackson and Sam Osborne piloting the other two Fords.
Founded almost 100 years ago, NAPA is one of the most prominent and successful automotive parts brands in North America and was introduced in the UK in 2019 by Alliance Automotive Group. NAPA arrives in the BTCC with a rich and glowing history as a sponsor within motorsport in the USA at the highest level, in categories such as NASCAR and Indycar.
Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal: “Wow…isn’t this just the icing on the cake! Ash is the kind of driver who is on everyone’s radar. This will be a different challenge for him compared with recent years, swapping from RWD to FWD, it was quite a decision for him to make but I’m really glad he did! So, to have secured his signature to Motorbase alongside Dan, Ollie and Sam is a really big deal. Joining NAPA Racing at such an exciting time probably helped clinch the deal.
“I really couldn’t ask for a better driver line-up. I think we’ve got a few people’s attention, this is an indication of our intent to challenge for the BTCC title in 2022 and beyond. Let’s face it, we’re not aiming for anything but success with these guys in the driving seat. The team is as strong behind the scenes as it is at the forefront and it’s simply buzzing in the workshop. There’s a lot of hard work still to do, and we’re not underestimating that, but I’m pretty sure the right ingredients are in the pot!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing Driver: “I’m buzzing to have signed a multi-year deal with NAPA Racing and Motorbase Performance! This feels like the start of something very exciting and I am ready for the challenge that lies ahead, they are all a great group of people and just pure racers at heart. Having got to know Pete Osborne more over the last year, I saw the hunger he has to win and his ambition to drive Motorbase in that direction. This is something I love, a new challenge set out with the same goals I personally have.
“The deal was made a little sweeter by securing NAPA Racing as a sponsor, for such an iconic brand in motorsport to be hitting the BTCC grid in 2022 and becoming a part of that was a big draw to me. Motorbase haven’t just made me feel welcome they have also welcomed onboard the car crew I have worked with over the past three years. They are all now part of the Motorbase family which means we have all the key elements to go out and retain that title together.
“Jumping back into front-wheel drive is going to be interesting, but something I am looking forward to. I can’t wait to get stuck into the Ford Focus package with my engineer Antonio Carrozza. With a solid pre-season testing plan, and a team mate like Dan Cammish, allows us to fast track a lot of development required to hit the ground running in the new hybrid era. Lining up with someone who has a pedigree like Dan really is an exciting prospect. I am sure we will be pushing each other’s limits and unlocking more potential within ourselves.
“I’m incredibly proud to be representing NAPA Racing, to go out and secure not just my fourth title but also the Teams and Constructors Championship with this newly formed partnership would be fantastic. This brings me one step closer to my goal of becoming the most successful driver ever in the BTCC.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/osborne-and-jackson-back-for-second-season-together-at-motorbase-performance2021-12-17T10:08:19+00:002021-12-17T10:08:37+00:00OSBORNE AND JACKSON BACK FOR SECOND SEASON TOGETHER AT MOTORBASE PERFORMANCEDavid Moore
Motorbase Performance has today, Friday, 17th December, confirmed two more of its drivers for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season with Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson staying at the Wrotham squad, working together as team-mates for a second consecutive campaign.
Following swiftly on from this week’s announcement regarding the arrival of reigning Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion and multiple BTCC race winner Dan Cammish at Motorbase-run NAPA Racing UK, Osborne and Jackson (pictured left and right respectively) are both equally determined to hit the ground running.
Worksop 28-year-old Osborne heads into his fourth BTCC season and second with Motorbase. Achieving a best overall race result so far of seventh place in 2020, this year – his first driving a Ford Focus ST – a brace of top 12 finishes were his best results.
Prior to his graduation into touring cars back in 2019, Osborne spent two seasons in the Renault UK Clio Cup – finishing in the championship top 12 on both occasions – and prior to that he raced in the MINI Challenge.
Reigate 37-year-old Jackson enters his 11th year of BTCC action, fourth with Motorbase and second as team-mate to Osborne. Jackson’s best touring car season to-date was in 2020, ending the year 12th in the overall standings and racing to a maiden victory.
Starting out his motor racing career in the Caterham Academy in 2005, Jackson was a multiple race winner over the next few seasons before graduating into Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Motorbase in 2009. Winning the Pro-Am1 crown with Motorbase in 2010, he then moved into British GT the following year before making his BTCC debut during the penultimate event of the 2011 season.
For the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season, Motorbase Performance will again field its potent Ford Focus ST race cars which now feature hybrid powered mountune developed engines – as per the championship’s push to utilise ‘greener’ technology. Once more, Motorbase will also be entered in the Manufacturer/Constructor battle representing Ford.
Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and TeamPrincipal: “I am so pleased to keep the continuity for Motorbase in both Ollie and Sam. In such a big year for the team, an element of stability is very important for us to push on this season. Ollie will be in his fourth year with the team and has two years’ experience of the Ford Focus ST under his belt, along with a wealth of hybrid knowledge.
“For Sam, it’s the first time in his career he gets to drive the same car and with the same team for a second season, and I feel sure that will show in his results. For us, 2022 is the start of a new era at Motorbase and to have these guys around me is really important. There is a huge wealth of experience throughout Motorbase behind the scenes and with a few additions for the new season, I’m really excited what the future holds for us.”
Sam Osborne – Motorbase Performance Driver: “I’m really looking forward to my second year in the Ford Focus ST with Motorbase Performance, and also teaming-up with Ollie [Jackson] for another season, it’s going to be fantastic having the continuity with everyone at the team. I feel I learnt so much last season, I really developed as a driver, and I’m ready now to make the next step and take things onto a new level. I really can’t wait for the season to start, these are exciting times at Motorbase!”
Ollie Jackson – Motorbase Performance Driver: “I’m really pleased to be returning for my fourth consecutive BTCC season with Motorbase, especially in a year that is going to bring us some fresh challenges to dig our teeth into and a new dynamic to the racing. The team is fully focused on the hybrid installation at the moment and until we get back to racing I’m doing my best to support them on behalf of mountune with my experience in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle development. I have every confidence that we’ll absolutely make the most of the system and it will be one of the best installations in the paddock. I’m putting a lot of effort in over the winter and the goal is to start putting some fresh silverware in my trophy cabinet as soon as possible and get back to winning ways!”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/dan-cammish-makes-btcc-return-with-napa-racing-uk2021-12-15T10:28:36+00:002021-12-17T10:08:47+00:00DAN CAMMISH MAKES BTCC RETURN WITH NAPA RACING UK, POWERED BY MOUNTUNEDavid Moore
Dan Cammish, the reigning and three-time Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion, is making an exciting and a very welcome return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for the 2022 season after today, Wednesday, 15th December, being revealed as the first driver for the new NAPA Racing entry.
Run by vastly experienced BTCC squad Motorbase Performance, NAPA Racing will debut next year in the UK’s premier motor racing category and the brand is already making big waves by signing Leeds driver Cammish – undoubtedly one of the country’s most exceptional racers.
The 32-year-old will mount a major title push with NAPA Racing next season, driving one of the Motorbase Performance engineered and prepared hybrid mountune powered Ford Focus ST cars. It will mark his first full season in the BTCC since 2020, when he was a four-time race winner and title contender.
Sealing a record-breaking third Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship crown this year, having previously won the coveted title in 2015 and 2016, Cammish actually started 2021 with a one-off outing in the BTCC during the series curtain-raiser at Thruxton – finishing second in round two.
His debut season in touring cars came in 2018 and after impressing on his switch from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, claiming two outright wins in his rookie season, Cammish starred in 2019. Taking two race wins and 12 other podiums, he only missed out on a famous title victory by a mere two points after a heart-breaking mechanical failure on the penultimate lap of the final race.
In 2020, along with four more race victories and six other podiums Cammish was third in the overall driver standings for the second consecutive year – only two points away from ending the season as Vice-Champion.
NAPA Racing’s arrival in the British Touring Car Championship with Motorbase was announced just two days ago, and the partnership is eyeing big things together when the new season gets underway at Donington Park in the East Midlands on 23rd/24th April.
One of the most prominent and successful automotive parts brands in North America, NAPA was founded almost 100 years ago. Introduced into the UK in 2019 by the Alliance Automotive Group, there are more than 280 stockists nationwide. NAPA has a rich history in the US Motorsport world, sponsoring some of the biggest championships such as NASCAR and IndyCar. Now, the prestigious automotive parts brand partners with Motorbase for 2022 BTCC season.
Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal: “Dan was a key element for our plans going into 2022. It’s a big year for us in many ways and we acknowledged that we needed a specific type of driver, of which there aren’t many around. In Dan we have someone we can really work with and rely on his talent and experience, along with his character. Dan had another really successful season in 2021 in Porsche Carrera Cup GB and he has a lot of unfinished business in the BTCC, so he’s in the right place right now and knows exactly what to expect from us at NAPA Racing. As a driver and team our targets are the same, we’re expecting success on and off track and we aim to enjoy the journey together. The whole team is buzzing with excitement at the moment, there is a really good feeling about the future of Motorbase.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing Driver: “I am very happy to be joining the NAPA Racing team ahead of the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season. It was obvious from the first time of meeting Motorbase owner Pete Osborne I wanted to be part of this program, and after spending quality time with the team it is clear this is a very exciting time for all involved. Everyone is working hard to give the team the best possible chance and it fills me with confidence when I see the work taking place behind the scenes. I am incredibly proud to be representing NAPA in UK motorsport and I believe this is just the start of a long and successful partnership. This is a new chapter for me in the BTCC and I can’t wait to get started and pick up where I left off.”
Steve Richardson – Alliance Automotive Group UK Manager, NAPA Racing: “Dan is a phenom on the BTCC racing circuit. We are confident that he will bring his years of expertise and significant talent to the table to kickstart the NAPA Racing movement in the UK. This is the start of an enthusiastic partnership between NAPA and Motorbase Performance.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-powered-tohill-crowned-british-rallycross-5-nations-champion2021-12-06T16:12:12+00:002021-12-06T16:13:14+00:00mountune-powered Tohill crowned British Rallycross 5 Nations ChampionDavid Moore
Double European Rallycross Champion and four-time Irish Rallycross Champion Derek Tohill has been crowned as the 2021 Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Champion.
Over the seven-round 2021 campaign with events in England, Wales and Scotland [rounds in Belgium and Ireland was forced to be cancelled due to ongoing world events but were replaced by double-headers at Lydden Hill and Knockhill], Tohill and the PFCRX team won three times, despite racing in one of the most competitive seasons of British Rallycross competition for some time.
Having scored top 5 Nations BRX points in round seven at Lydden Hill last month, Tohill left what was planned to be the penultimate round with the standings lead. Now, with the final round, unfortunately, cancelled amid the ongoing issues the world currently faces, it is now confirmed that Dublin-based Tohill has become the 23rd driver to claim the British Rallycross title in its 46-year history.
PFCRX’s OlsbergsMSE-built, C-Sport run 600bhp mountune-powered Ford Fiesta Supercar continued its development throughout 2021 and that effort by everybody in both the immediate and wider team has now been rewarded, with Tohill finishing in front of several former champions and event-winners in the championship.
The season is not over for the Irish team, however, with the final round of the 2021 Irish Rallycross Championship taking place at Mondello Park on December 12, where Tohill remains in contention to win a fifth Irish Rallycross Championship crown. The event will include a Winter Vibes Cars ‘n Coffee meeting, in association with Republic of Motors.
Derek Tohill | Driver | Ford Fiesta #111
“I’m absolutely delighted to be officially confirmed as the 5 Nations British Rallycross Champion. It’s a huge privilege to join the list of previous winners, including multiple champion Dermot Carnegie, Christopher Evans, Helmut Holfeld and Ollie O’Donovan – all Irish competitors who I’m honoured to join as a British Rallycross Champion.
We managed to score 89 out of 90 points in the final three rounds, just the right time to realise the pace and potential we knew we had. We lost this championship in 2019 by only 1 point, so to win it in only our second attempt is an incredible effort by the whole team, and it finished on a huge high with the massive crowds, family entertainment and night racing at Lydden Hill a few weeks ago.
We had some huge battles this year with lots of very worthy champions and competitors throughout the field, but in the end, it became a two-horse race between us and Ollie O’Donovan. Ollie has always been a fierce rival for me, we clash more than most but I respect his unquestionable ability as a driver. I look forward to many more battles together with him and his team. And, in part, it’s thanks to our rivals and the immense level of competition in 5 Nations BRX that this victory feels so special. It was certainly hard-fought!
And, of course, as well as the championship having a great team behind it, we have won this title by also having a team amazing of individuals ourselves. We have a great mix of experience and youth within PFCRX and C-Sport, I’m very lucky to have them behind me. I also have to thank my family for the many sacrifices they have made to allow me to compete in both the British and Irish Championships in 2021. Their support is invaluable.
Finally, we have a lot of fantastic support from our partners and sponsors who never fail to deliver, no matter what time of the day or night it is, including PartsforCars, Mountune and OlsbergsMSE. It’s a big commitment to take on full campaigns in both Britain and Ireland – we have tested and proven our parts and people in the most extreme conditions.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/msv-announces-new-gb4-championship-supported-by-mountune2021-09-08T09:42:09+01:002021-09-08T09:42:09+01:00MSV ANNOUNCES NEW GB4 CHAMPIONSHIP SUPPORTED BY MOUNTUNEDavid Moore
MotorSport Vision (MSV) will launch the new GB4 Championship as an entry-level junior single-seater category in the UK next season. GB4 has been created to offer drivers graduating from karting or club racing a significantly lower cost route onto the single-seater ladder.
GB4 will act as a direct feeder series to higher open-wheel categories, running in close alignment with MSV’s already successful GB3 Championship in association with the BRDC. GB4 is planned to run primarily on the same British GT race programme, offering teams an excellent platform from which to enter both series.
The new championship will meet the need for an affordable alternative for drivers beginning a single-seater career, with costs significantly reduced when compared to FIA F4 following the introduction of its new car. GB4 aims to offer drivers the chance to contest a full season of competitive single-seater racing in Britain for between £120,000 and £150,000.
Racing at a reduced cost opens the door for drivers to follow directly in the footsteps of George Russell, who won the BRDC F4 Championship in 2014 before going on to establish himself as one of the most exciting drivers in Formula 1.
GB4 will utilise the well-established Tatuus F4-T014 chassis, which has notably been used in Spanish, Italian and ADAC F4 series across Europe over the past seven years. The F4-T014 is not only a superb race car, but an enormously safe one too, ideal for drivers from as young as 15 years of age to make their first steps on the single-seater racing ladder – no serious injuries have been recorded in more than 400 races and 140,000 racing laps.
Use of the Tatuus F4 chassis also allows for some overlap with GB3, which uses a car built from the same base. Cars are expected to be available from around £30,000, complete with an engine, whilst existing GB3 teams can use 80% of the same spares whilst maintaining and preparing cars across two championships. Cost minimisation and controls will also be implemented by series organiser MSV.
In addition to a planned 21-race schedule, across seven events alongside GB3 and the British GT Championship, GB4 will also share combined tests with its sister championship. GB4 will share a similar race weekend format with three races at the majority of events.
The relationship between the two championships will be bolstered by a £50,000 prize fund for the championship winner towards a drive in GB3. Full details of the GB4 prize package will be announced in due course.
Engine parity will be optimised by existing GB3 partner Mountune, working in conjunction with Tatuus and Autotecnica Motori. The car will run exactly as it has done in F4 competition, with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, producing 160bhp and a sequential paddle shift gearbox.
GB4 will also retain relationships with many of GB3’s existing partners. These include F1 tyre supplier Pirelli, which will continue to supply rubber, whilst Sunoco will act as control fuel provider. The British Racing Drivers’ Club will also extend its highly-valued support from GB3 to GB4.
In addition to benefitting from racing at high-profile national race meetings, GB4 competitors will receive full-time media coverage via a dedicated press office. The latest championship news and updates will be displayed at www.gb-4.net, which is due to launch this week.
MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer commented: “GB4 is a tremendously exciting new championship that will provide aspiring F1 drivers with modest budgets an opportunity to develop and prove their talent, and progress onwards in single-seater racing.
“GB4 is also coming at just the right time. The availability of the current well proven Tatuus-Abarth F4 car, coupled with MSV’s highly respected ability to run excellent junior single-seater series, means an affordable first step will exist for drivers to emulate George Russell’s outstanding progress to the top, after he first came to single-seater prominence by winning our inaugural BRDC F4 championship in 2014.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/triple-podium-haul-and-championship-lead-for-mountune-powered-mb-motorsport2021-05-10T09:07:49+01:002021-05-10T09:24:33+01:00Triple podium and Championship lead for mountune-powered MB MotorsportDavid Moore
MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square enjoyed a fantastic day of racing at Thruxton with Jake Hill securing three podium finishes from three races and the team and the Motorbase Performance squad leave Hampshire with the lead of the Drivers and Manufacturers Championships, thanks to three successive Manufacturer victories.
With much more settled weather conditions compared to Saturday, the team were confident that Sunday could provide all the ingredients needed for a successful day’s racing on the first day of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Lining up seventh and ninth on the grid respectively for race one, both Jake Hill and Ollie Jackson looked forward to making their way through the field.
RACE ONE
As the opening race of the season got underway, drama quickly ensued with Ash Sutton sent pirouetting out of the lead by Colin Turkington, allowing Jake and Ollie to carve their way through the chaos and climb the order. Jake continued to gain places on the opening tour, capitalising on a spinning Tom Oliphant and passing Rory Butcher’s Toyota in the process.
Ollie’s progress was abruptly halted after being hit by Gordon Shedden’s Honda, with the Scottish racer also taking out EXCELR8’s Chris Smiley in the process. Ollie was then forced to pit under the safety car to clear the radiator. Fortunately, the two-time race winner was able to rejoin the race albeit at the back of the field.
When the race resumed, Jake had climbed to the podium places in third and staged an excellent performance to keep the BMW of Turkington at bay for the remainder of the race to register his first visit to the rostrum in 2021. Meanwhile, Ollie fought back through the order to finish P19 on the road.
RACE TWO
A dramatic start saw the second race immediately red-flagged following a multi-car collision in the midfield, necessitating extensive barrier repairs and a large clean up operation. On the restart, Jake and Ingram were caught off the line and lost ground to Cammish, Butcher and Plato. In the #24, Jake quickly repassed Plato before regaining third place after Butcher spun off the road. From there, he kept in touch with the two BTC Racing Honda’s of Cook and Cammish and recorded his second podium finish of the weekend.
Meanwhile, some decisive driving from Ollie allowed him to avoid the midfield chaos and carve his way through the field and get involved in a series of close battles. Closing in on the top ten, the #48 finished in P13, narrowly missing out on the top-twelve reverse grid pole lottery.
RACE THREE
The notorious British weather soon played its part in proceedings as rain began to fall shortly before the start of race three. Tyre choices soon became the key call for every team on the grid, with variations beginning to emerge. The majority of the field opted to run the wet Goodyear tyre whilst MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square split their individual strategies, with Ollie running the wet from P13 on the grid and Jake running the slick tyre from P9.
The first phase of the race particularly suited the wet runners with Jake dropping to 19th and Ollie making a storming progression through the field early into the top six. As the conditions swung the other way, Ollie held firm excellently in tricky conditions to register his first top ten finish of the season, completing a stunning recovery through the field.
In true BTCC fashion, the pendulum duly swung back towards the slick runners with the rain easing and the track beginning to try once more as the race reached the midway point. As a result, Jake began lapping up to five seconds faster than the race leaders and set about dicing his way back through the order. With five laps remaining, he’d blitzed his way past polesitter Sutton and into the lead of the race.
Once again, the rain increased in intensity and the momentum shifted away from those on slicks and back towards those on wets. Fending off the charging Sutton and Plato as hard as he could, Jake was powerless to stop the pair from demoting him to third place at the chequered flag.
Today’s results mean MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square helped Motorbase Performance Ford to complete a hat-trick of manufacturer victories and head to Snetterton on June 12/13 leading the Manufacturers Championship ahead of BMW and Toyota.
Jake Hill, meanwhile, thanks to a hat-trick of podium finishes leads the Drivers Championship for the first time in his BTCC career after a memorable day.
Ollie Jackson, #48 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“Today was taken out of our hands in race one, and as frustrating as that is, we have worked really hard as a team to recover with two points finishes and a top-ten in race three. Obviously the first race set the tone for the day and gave us a lot of work to do but we knuckled down and made the progress we needed to. The car felt really good and I think we made more progress through the field, than any other front wheel drive car which is a great sign.
“I enjoyed a few battles here and there throughout and was pleased to get myself into the top ten in race three. It’s been a great start to the season for the team so I can’t wait to push for more at Snetterton.”
Jake Hill, #24 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“I’m over the moon with our performances today. We knew we had a good race car underneath us and the team have done an amazing job in getting it to this point. The win looked possible in the last race but the conditions just went a bit too far to hang on to it.”
“There has been so much work gone into everything behind-the-scenes over the off season by so many - I’m just delighted that those efforts have been rewarded today. To leave Thruxton with the lead of both championships is just brilliant and I cannot wait for Snetterton to come around.”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“I think we can call that a very successful first day back at the office. Both Ollie and Jake did themselves proud, as did the whole Motorbase Performance operation which was faultless from minute one.”
“Ollie has had to battle through today the hard way but made his way through the field excellently and we know that he is getting on with the car brilliantly. For Jake, I’m really pleased for him. After the start we had last year, we couldn’t feel any more different than we do today after Round One and he drove excellently. That was some performance particularly in race three, with changing conditions, but we can head to Snetterton in confident mood and ready to build on this weekend.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-classic-engines2021-03-15T14:38:24+00:002021-03-15T14:38:48+00:00mountune Classic EnginesDavid Moore
After a successful acquisition by the original founder, David Mountain and a team of expert industry investors in October 2020, globally renowned engine builder Mountune Racing is pleased to announce an exciting expansion to the core racing division’s product offering, to support a range of historic race engine builds, component design services and also to support those that require classic engine builds and restoration work, under the Mountune Classic Engines banner.
“Whilst our reputation has been forged on the back of designing and building race-winning engines incorporating the latest technology and principles, it’s easy to forget that we’ve also been developing and building a wide variety of customer engines to the highest level for over 40 years, which means we have built up a vast wealth of knowledge that can be applied to almost any application”, enthuses David Mountain.
“Our new Mountune Classic Engines offering is primarily aimed at the Ford engine’s, which we have a huge amount of experience with but we can also work on a number of other marques, whether it be a classic Jaguar XK or a Ferrari - if it’s from a historic race car or a classic car restoration project we’re happy to discuss”, he adds.
Stand-out engines include, but are by no means limited to: XFlow, Twin-Cam, BDA, BDT and the infamous YB, with engine rebuilds and redesigning / remanufacturing of components also available where required.
There’s also the option of a full engine dyno test available to customers with mountune-built engines and this facility can also be extended to any external companies looking for the exclusive use of engine dyno facilities.
If we can help with your classic engine or historic racing project we’d love to hear from you:
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/ollie-jackson-completes-mb-motorsport-2021-btcc-line-up2021-02-04T10:49:00+00:002021-02-04T10:49:00+00:00Ollie Jackson completes MB Motorsport 2021 BTCC line-upDavid Moore
MB Motorsport today announced that multiple race-winner, Ollie Jacksons will complete their 2021 driver line-up.
Ollie joins the team fresh from his most successful season in the Kwik Fit British Touring Championship to date, claiming his maiden victory in the series at Silverstone before going on to triumph at Snetterton in the penultimate round of the 2020 campaign.
A familiar face in the BTCC paddock, BRDC member, Ollie Jackson, first competed in the BTCC back in 2011 and since then has transformed into a regular points scorer - finishing in a career-best 12th place in the Drivers’ Championship with Motorbase Performance last season.
At the wheel of the mountune-powered Ford Focus ST during his multiple race-winning campaign last season, Ollie’s knowledge and experience of the car will prove invaluable as the team looks to hit the ground running with its new machinery. Thanks to the team’s technical partnership with Motorbase Performance, Ollie is well-placed to build on the successful relationships already established in his 2020 campaign.
Ollie Jackson - #48 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“I’m over the moon to be racing with MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square this season,” Ollie said. “Last year was a really memorable one for me and I’m determined to build on that this year. I got on really well with the Ford Focus ST and now have the opportunity to take that success to another level in 2021.
“I’m also really pleased that the makeup of the team will allow me to continue working with the majority of the personnel from last year as well as working with Shaun once more who helped me win my first podium back in 2018. We’ve a great relationship and with his and Mark’s leadership, I’m certain we’ll have a lot to smile about in the year ahead. It’s an exciting time!”
Shaun Hollamby - Team Principal, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“It’s fantastic news to have Ollie join us this season. I’ve seen first-hand just how talented he is behind the wheel and I’m very pleased to have him back in one of my cars. His knowledge of the Ford will help drive us forward and, between him and Jake, I’m quietly confident that we’ll have a very memorable season.”
Mark Blundell - Sporting Director, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“As a team, we’re incredibly excited to take another step forward this season. Ollie’s signing forms a big part of that and is a statement of intent for the whole team. Last year was a real standout season for Ollie and his signing is another big part of the jigsaw falling into place. His experience and success is a major boost to the team and we are looking forward to working with him.”
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https://www.mountunestore.com/blogs/news/mountune-powered-bac-mono-r-wins-gq-track-car-of-the-year-award2021-02-03T12:45:56+00:002021-03-12T13:48:28+00:00mountune-powered BAC Mono R wins GQ track car of the year awardDavid Moore
Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) is celebrating its record-breaking Mono R winning the Track Car of the Year Award at the prestigious GQ Car Awards 2021.
First revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019, the fully street-legal Mono R serves as The New Reference – the very pinnacle of design, innovation and engineering in the automotive industry.
It sports a stunning new generation of Mono DNA, features revolutionary new materials and technology and offers world-beating performance on the road and track. It’s no stranger to high-profile accolades and records, either…
R’s 2.5-litre engine delivers an astonishing 343bhp, which results in a specific output of 138bhp per litre – a new global record for a road-legal production car. Elsewhere, it’s the first production supercar in the world to feature nano element graphene in its panels, making it a true feat of innovation.
GQ Car Awards 2021 panellists Nikki Shields, Paul Ainsworth, Tom Kerridge and Michael Caines were blown away by the concept and delivery of Mono R, which showed a clean pair of heels to its rivals to scoop the award.
British GQ Automotive Editor Paul Henderson and Columnist Jason Barlow commented: “When the Briggs brothers – one a gifted engineer, the other a brilliant designer – alighted on the idea of re-creating the single-seater racing experience in a road-legal car, it could have been a fast but fragile one-trick pony. A decade and 100-plus cars later, the Mono R lands, sporting 44 new, bespoke carbon-fibre parts, each one enhanced with graphene for extra strength and even less weight. The car’s ingeniously skeletal form was unimproveable, but it really is all new. The most visible addition is the ram intake, which delivers more high-pressure cold air to the mountune-supplied 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and ups the power output to 343bhp. Given that it weighs a scant 555kg, we’re talking a power-to-weight ratio of 618bhp per tonne. And that is the stat to end all stats.”
Neill Briggs, Co-Founder and Director of Product Development at BAC, added: “It’s a huge honour for us to win such a high-profile award for Mono R; special thanks to British GQ for giving Mono R the recognition its brilliance deserves. We’re incredibly proud of everything about R – design, innovation, performance and driving experience – and it’s incredible to see that officially recognised in the form of another prestigious award. Winning GQ’s Track Car of the Year Award means beating some seriously stiff competition, which is a wonderful feeling.”
David Mountain, mountune founder also added: "Developing the normally aspirated Mono R engine to such a high output (343bhp) whilst still retaining good drivability for road and track use has been an exciting challenge that we've certainly relished. Working with BAC over the years on their fabulous cars has been fantastic and the dedication to design, quality and sheer performance makes the BAC Mono R a very special car indeed. For GQ to recognise this as they have, is certainly a befitting accolade."