For the third season in succession Andrew Jordan will be on the driver market after the newly-crowned Independents champion announced this evening he will part ways with Motorbase Performance ‘by mutual consent’ on commercial grounds.
Jordan, who edged out Motorbase team-mate Mat Jackson to claim the Independents honours for a third time in his British Touring Car Championship career at the series finale two weeks ago at Brands Hatch, also claimed his first victories in the championship since 2014 after a turbulent one-off year with the works MG outfit.
Jordan is now said to be evaluating a host of options for next season alongside his headline sponsors, Pirtek. It is implied, however, that his future plans are based upon remaining in the BTCC.
Both Jordan and Motorbase entered into discussions for next season earlier this year, but “it soon became apparent that differing commercial requirements would prevent an agreement being reached for the new season”.
The 2013 champion paid tribute to his now-former squad and underlined his pleasure at how the last year has panned out. Jordan is also now looking forward with renewed optimism to next year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Motorbase; they are a fantastic team and I take a huge sense of pride in the fact that I helped them to secure their first BTCC titles this year,” Andrew said. “We’ve obviously been in talks with them for some time about 2017, but we have reached the point where it has become apparent that a deal isn’t going to be possible.
“Any deal I do has to be one that works commercially for my sponsors, and there were certain things that me and my sponsors needed from it, and certain things that the team needed.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to tick all the boxes to make that deal possible, but we split on amicable terms and I wish David [Bartrum] and the team all the best for the future.
“On a personal level, while it is a shame that we couldn’t agree a deal with Motorbase, there are some very exciting irons in the fire for 2017.
“Talks are ongoing about a programme that would be fantastic for both myself, as well as for Pirtek and my other sponsors. I’m certainly very confident that we will be able to build on the success that we have enjoyed this year when the new season comes around.”
Motorbase also wished Jordan well as he heads to pastures new.
“It’s been a great year for Andrew and the team securing our first Drivers Championship and his 3rd” remarked Team Principal David Bartrum. “It’s a real shame that we won’t be continuing together as we really got on well with Andrew and he settled into the team very well but the decision to part ways has not been taken lightly by either party and is based purely on commercial reasons.
“There are a good deal of things that need to come together to make a deal in the BTCC work;” explains Bartrum. “For a number of reasons, unfortunately a few pieces of the jigsaw currently don’t fit so both we [Motorbase] and Andrew need to look at making that work elsewhere.
“I’m very satisfied with the job we did for Andrew and Pirtek this season. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Andrew and his sponsors and wish them well.”
Further details about Jordan and Pirtek Racing’s plans for next year are set to be announced at a later date.