Motorbase split with Gareth Howell

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
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BTCC racer Gareth Howell has split with the Motorbase Performance SEAT team.

Team principal Dave Bartrum said the number of incidents that the Motorbase cars had been involved in during the first half of the year had left the team in a difficult position.

"The amount of accident damage we've had so far has put pressure on the budget," Bartrum said.

"The cars have spent a lot of time in the bodyshop and waiting for parts and that has hurt our testing schedule. Our cars have had seven big hits in three weekends, as well as the regular combat damage and it's been tough for everyone."

Motorbase will announced a replacement for Howell before next weekend's Donington Park races.

Bartrum confirmed that Howell's teammate Matt Allison's future was secure.

"We're delighted with Matt's performance and expect he will continue his excellent progress through the second half of the season," he said.

"We will be a two-car team for the rest of 2007 and beyond. In the meantime, we wish Gareth well for the future."
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
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Clanfield, UK
interesting.... I saw a rumour on the btcc forum last night.

I guess they didn't bargain on destroying the cars 'that much'

wonder who will get the drive?

pickey?
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
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Possibly he's certainly got the experience in the car, however James has been doing some FIA GT3 in Europe recently, in a Trackspeed Porsche.

http://www.trackspeed.net/arc210507.htm

Tom Ferrier would be another good choice, he did really well at Silverstone last year in Motorbase's first time out.

But ultimately it will come down to who has the budget.
 

Timthebrief

Barmy Army sleeper cell
There's a response from Gareth on the BTCC forum saying this was a mutual decision by him and the Team, and not due to the budget he brought to the team having run out. Diplomatic but not necessarily the full story I imagine. :shrug:

Hope they can find a sound replacement to keep both Tollys competing for the rest of the season
 

Empi5

Your scaring me.......
Feb 24, 2005
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Staffordshire
interesting.... I saw a rumour on the btcc forum last night.

I guess they didn't bargain on destroying the cars 'that much'

wonder who will get the drive?

pickey?

Arr would explain why Mr Pickford senior was mentioning that James may well be racing in the BTCC this season, and to watch this space. ;)
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
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Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
James has been talking to a few teams since he finished with SEAT in 2005. Currently nothing suitable has come along.

As James said to me at Rockingham, when its your own cash your putting forward you have to be 100% sure your going to get something out of it. Which is a fair point to make really.

Personally would love to see James back in the BTCC, he's a top bloke and deserves the chance to shine in the BTCC.

Motorbase are currently negotiating with a few drivers according to the BTCC Official news site, so we'll see. Should be an answer in the next 48 hours.
 

m0rk

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Staff member
May 19, 2001
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Clanfield, UK
it'll be Tom Ferrier this weekend, and maybe the rest of the season budget dependant.

Mark