Fifer Jonathan Adam, one Scotland’s talented young breed of racing drivers, will bid to become the first Scot to win the British Touring Car Championship since John Cleland after being confirmed as a driver with the top-rated Motorbase BMW team.
The 24-year-old from Kirkcaldy, who last November completed a highly successful test in the Motorbase BMW 320is at Brands Hatch in Kent, has long been touted as a future BTCC star.
Now Adam, who dominated the Seat Cupra Championship in both 2007 and last season when he became the only driver to win the title twice, has graduated to one of the most competitive seats in the BTCC.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me,” the talented Scot, a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Superstars programme aimed at developing young racers, confirmed today after the announcement.
“Motorbase were one of the strongest teams in the championship and finished the second-half of the season stronger than anyone else.
“The BMW is a very, very competitive car which I believe will not only be capable of winning races but will be strong enough to win the championship. Winning the title in my first season will be a major challenge, but it’s one I’m aiming for.
“This will be the culmination of four years’ hard work. Racing in touring cars has always been my main goal and being able to confirm this fantastic deal is terrific both for me, and for Scotland. It’ll be great to fly the Saltire in the BTCC.”
And Adam, who in the last two seasons had only finalised his place within the Seat Cupra team days before the start of the season, admitted raising the necessary cash had been difficult again this year.
“The current economic climate hasn’t made sponsorship any easier for up-and-coming young racers to attract, but I know the comprehensive television coverage the BTCC gets on ITV has helped me,” Adam continued.
When the Scot tested with the Motorbase team at the end of last year, he set a series of consistently quick lap times, the fastest of which would have placed him fourth on the grid for the BTCC finale at the circuit the previous month.
”I know the team were happy with what I achieved and certainly to race with them in the championship in 2009 is a major boost,” the Scot, who will partner 40-year-old Rob Collard in the two-car team, said.
“They’re a very professional and committed team which I believe will be pushing for the title in 2009. I knew before I drove the BMW that I wanted to be in the BTCC. But now I know not only can I be competitive, but I can win races and hopefully the championship.”
And team boss Dave Bartrum is sure Adam, who also won the Renault Clio Cup championship in 2005, will rapidly acclimatise to the BTCC.
“From the first moment we started working with him in the garage and in the car we realised he was keen to learn and very ambitious,” the Motorbase boss said. “I think Jonathan will do a really good for Motorbase this year and will be very competitive once he settles in to the car.
“He will also be able to learn a lot from working alongside Rob Collard with all his experience, so I am convinced we have the right drivers to ensure Motorbase is successful in 2009.”
Adam will test his new BMW 320is at Brands Hatch today before heading to Donington in Leicestershire for another private session tomorrow. The BTCC gets underway at Brands Hatch on April 5 and comes to Knockhill on August 15/16.
JM