Ford Fiesta Junior Champions Charlie Ladell and James ‘JJ’ Ross both got the chance to live out their dreams behind the wheel of the Addison Lee Motorbase Ford Focus touring car last Tuesday (October 29) thanks to Motorbase Performance Team Boss David Bartrum.
17 year-old 2012 Champion Ladell and this year's 16 year-old title winner Ross, were invited to join the Motorbase Performance squad at Norfolk's Snetterton 300 circuit for a test day in the Mountune-powered race winning S2000 Focus ST as a reward for their respective performances in the Dunlop sponsored Ford Fiesta Junior Championship.
Following an initial seat fitting and test run in the morning allowing the young drivers time to adjust to the car; both Ladell and Ross then got the chance to showcase their skills to Motorbase Performance Team Boss David Bartrum and Dunlop Motorsport's Michael Butler during the afternoon's ten lap race simulation.
"Both lads did a great job in the Focus and handled themselves very well"; said Bartrum. "It's great to be in a position to be able help give young talented drivers like Charlie and James their first taste of driving a touring car and to be part of such a great initiative alongside Dunlop."
Bartrum added; "Motorbase has been a long standing supporter of nurturing young British motorsport talent, and as a front running team competing in this country I believe that it's our duty to help bring on the next generation of racers in whichever way we can."
The Motorbase arranged test was run in tandem alongside the Dunlop initiated Airwaves Racing NGTC prize-drive test that saw Formula Ford Champion Dan Cammish and runner-up Harrison Scott join Clio Cup Champion Josh Files in the Motorbase Performance built NGTC.
Dunlop Tyres Sales and Product Manager Michael Butler commented: "Dunlop has a strong heritage in providing development opportunities for young drivers, with initiatives such as Dunlop Race Academy and Dunlop Star of Tomorrow in our recent history, and our commitment to motorsport will always involve giving young talent the opportunity to perform at a higher level"
