NAPA Auto Parts, one of the premier automotive parts brands in the UK and North America, will be part of the pinnacle of UK motorsport in 2022 after today announcing a new commercial partnership with top Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship team Motorbase Performance – creating NAPA Racing UK.
Marking an exciting start to a fresh new era for the multiple BTCC race winning and former Independents Trophy winning team, the link-up with NAPA – Alliance Automotive Group’s number one brand – will see two of Motorbase’s Ford Focus cars running under the NAPA Racing umbrella.
Following a successful season in the country’s most popular and spectacular motor racing category, with two race victories and eight other podiums, Wrotham-based Motorbase is eyeing a major 2022 challenge with the first NAPA Racing driver to be revealed imminently.
Founded in 1925 in the USA, NAPA – the National Automotive Parts Association – became established very quickly and over the subsequent decades enjoyed huge growth and made a number of acquisitions. NAPA Racing has a rich history in the US motorsport world, sponsoring some of the biggest championships such as NASCAR and IndyCar.
Introduced to the UK in 2019 by the Alliance Automotive Group, there are 24 NAPA product groups sold across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. More than 280 stockists make up the NAPA network within the UK, providing quality parts to garages countrywide.
Not only does the 2022 season mark the first with NAPA Racing partnering Motorbase, it is also the beginning of the new era of hybrid power in the BTCC as the ultra-popular championship embraces greener technology.
Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal:
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome NAPA to Motorbase and the BTCC, it’s a huge brand in America in the automotive parts industry and one with a great motorsport history. Now they’re entering the UK market, it’s only natural NAPA should choose the BTCC to showcase their brand. In the short period we’ve been working with NAPA you can see clearly what their targets are and they align perfectly with ours. There’s ambition with a big picture in mind. We’re extremely proud to be promoting the NAPA brand both on and off track and we’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership. NAPA Racing has arrived, let’s go racing!”
Steve Richardson – Alliance Automotive Group UK Manager, NAPA Racing:
“This partnership represents a ground-breaking opportunity for the NAPA brand. We are all very excited to bring the Motorbase team into the fold and are eagerly anticipating our shared future in the upcoming BTCC season.”