Motorbase Performance have confirmed that Mat Jackson will remain with the team for the 2018 British Touring Car Championship season, piloting one of the outfit’s Ford Focus RS racers.
Jackson will stay with the Kent-based team for a ninth consecutive season, as the 36-year-old looks to add to his 31 race wins and 79 podium finishes.
He will partner Tom Chilton in the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher outfit for his 12th BTCC season.
Team Principal David Bartrum believes that having Jackson alongside Chilton in the team’s Ford Focus RS cars will deliver the team’s strongest title assault yet.
“I’m really happy to continue with Mat alongside Tom this season, it’s a very strong line-up,” said Bartrum. “Mat has helped us get the car to where it is now and has been with us from the start of our NGTC journey so it seems fitting for him to join Tom in what should be our strongest campaign to date with the new Focus RS.
“Both Mat and Tom have fantastic proven track records which speak for themselves and they are both hungry to become the 2018 BTCC Champion. They have great respect for each other professionally and already get on well, which is great for the dynamic of the team.”
Jackson himself is hoping to be in the title mix, having yet to lift his first BTCC crown despite 333 races to-date.
“It’s great to be back with Motorbase and Team Shredded Wheat with Gallagher for another crack at the Championship,” said Jackson. “I’m looking forward to it immensely.
“I know that the guys have been hard at work over the winter to improve the pace of the car and there’s been a huge amount of hard work that’s gone in from their side.
“We’ve got a whole new set up this year with the RS and a new team-mate in Tom on-board for the season. It’s going to be an exciting season, and we’re hopeful that the changes will put us in good stead to battle for the BTCC title this year.”
The team will head to Spain next month for pre-season testing.