The 21-year-old, who away from his racing is studying for a degree in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Glasgow, was a podium finisher in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship feeder category last year and ended the season 11th in the standings, second in the Rookie class.

Clearly a driver to watch, Clark – who will again race for the JWB Motorsport squad with whom Motorbase has partnered through its expanding ladder of progression – will undoubtedly go into the new MINI CHALLENGE season with a great opportunity to challenge for honours.

Starting his motorsport career in karting, Clark moved up into cars in 2017 in the BMW Compact Cup where he was a podium finisher. Graduating into the Volkswagen Racing Cup the following season, he starred with two race victories, three other podiums and ended the year as Vice-Champion.

In 2019 Clark was only able to contest a part season in VW due to A-level commitments, but he was still impressive – securing six podiums in seven races, including another win. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, his planned move into MINI CHALLENGE in 2020 was delayed until last year.

Now, with the support and backing of Motorbase Performance, Clark will have the opportunity to not only learn from the team’s BTCC squad, but also the Motorbase touring car drivers Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson.

Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal:
“I’m delighted to welcome Ru onto our Young Driver Programme and looking forward to seeing how he progresses in MINI CHALLENGE this year. Ru has shown himself to be an extremely capable driver in the headline JCW class, becoming a podium finisher in his debut season, and he enjoyed a lot of success in the VW Cup as well. He also, of course, enjoys the great continuity of racing with JWB Motorsport again this year in MINI so we’re all confident it should be a successful season.”

Ru Clark – MINI CHALLENGE racer:
“I’m very excited for the year ahead and to be joining the Motorbase Performance Young Driver Programme, it’s a fantastic development for my career as it moves forward. It’s going to be great learning from Motorbase’s BTCC drivers, including two of the top stars in the championship. I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this opportunity and I intend to repay the faith Pete Osborne and Motorbase have put in me this year.”

Racing as part of the BTCC package, the 2022 MINI CHALLENGE will get underway over the weekend 23rd/24th April at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire.

The post MINI CHALLENGE RACER CLARK JOINS MOTORBASE YOUNG DRIVER PROGRAMME appeared first on Alliance Racing.

Following hot on the heels of tie-ups with Assetto Motorsport and JWB Motorsport as part of the wide-ranging ladder of progression, Motorbase is also now working with Joe Tandy Racing and the Porsche squad’s driver Hugo Ellis in the UK’s fastest one-make championship.

The 20-year-old former World Karting Champion, who is making a full-time return to competition this year having been more recently focusing on educational commitments and business opportunities, will pilot a NAPA Racing UK branded Porsche for his maiden season in the category.

Making its public debut at Silverstone International Circuit in Northamptonshire this morning as part of the annual Porsche Carrera Cup GB ‘Media Day’ test, the car will provide a striking statement for the NAPA brand in the prestigious category.

Expanding NAPA Racing UK’s presence on the BTCC package, the JTR-entered Porsche joins the two Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus ST cars which are being raced in touring cars this year by reigning Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion Dan Cammish and reigning BTCC Champion Ash Sutton.

Joe Tandy Racing, of course, was established by the eponymous late racing driver and is successfully run by his brother Nick, a Le Mans 24 Hours race winner and decorated factory driver. Adding Ellis to the Motorbase driver development programme means the team’s ladder of opportunity now ranges from Ginetta Junior through to MINI CHALLENGE, TCR UK and Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal:
“I’m very proud of everything we’re doing with our new Young Driver Programme at Motorbase, and linking-up with JTR is a fantastic extension of everything we’ve already put in place. Nick Tandy and his team need no introduction, by far one of the strongest squads in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, and so we’re delighted to be supporting Hugo Ellis at JTR through our association with NAPA Racing UK.

“Providing opportunities and offering key support for drivers coming through the ranks is what our ladder of opportunity is all about. We’re sure Hugo will learn a huge amount with JTR, I’m looking forward to seeing how his debut season in Porsche progresses.”

Nick Tandy – JTR Team Principal:

“To help bring an iconic brand into British racing is something fantastic for us at JTR. I’ve long since followed the exploits of NAPA Racing in the US and it’s always associated with success. I’m sure the fans will agree a bright blue and yellow 911 looks fantastic! We start the partnership with rookie driver Hugo Ellis, similarly fresh to the UK circuit racing scene. Whilst he is a rookie he has shown excellent progression so far in pre season testing so we have high hopes for this year and the future.”

Hugo Ellis;

“I can’t wait to get started in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, the car looks, sounds and drives just awesome! JTR have been great so far, with both Nicks, Tandy and Madge, plus all their great crew, I’m sure we have everything in place to make the most of my opportunity. And having NAPA Racing UK involved with the team and myself is just the icing on the cake, I hope to do them proud.”

The post MOTORBASE YOUNG DRIVER PROGRAMME LINKS-UP WITH JTR IN PORSCHE GB appeared first on Alliance Racing.

Motorbase has a glowing history of supporting outstanding drivers, providing debut BTCC tests or races for a raft of talent including current NAPA Racing UK duo Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton, BTCC race winner Rory Butcher, multiple British GT Champion Jonny Adam and rising star Jack Mitchell.

Now, the Wrotham-based squad has established a ladder of progression which can take drivers all the way from the junior levels of karting and up into touring cars. Partnering with JWB Motorsport and Assetto Motorsport, the programme will enable racers to graduate from karts into the Ginetta Junior Championship, MINI CHALLENGE and TCR UK en-route to the BTCC or GT3 endurance racing.

Aimed at drivers who begin their careers at a very young age, significantly the programme also provides key opportunities for aspiring team personnel – often an overlooked area where openings within the sport are concerned.

From race mechanics and engineers through to HGV drivers, commercial and marketing roles, plus everything in between, the alliance of all three teams opens the chance for individuals to progress their careers within the motor racing industry.

Pete Osborne – Motorbase Performance Team Owner and Team Principal:
“I’m delighted to launch such an exciting Young Driver Programme, it’s something incredibly exciting to be part of along with Assetto and JWB and it is also something very close to my heart. We have all been working on this for a while now, so it’s great to see it coming to fruition.

“Motorbase has a great history of supporting young drivers in their motorsport careers and we’re now taking that ethos to another level. We have already signed-up Matt Wilson and Harri Reynolds, and there are more to come. I’m in the process of seeing my two sons’ driving careers going through the ranks, so I know just how important these opportunities are.

“Trusting and reliable relationships within motorsport are important and we feel that between the three teams we can offer a complete package for young talent. In my experience it’s as important to offer this kind of opportunity to team members as well as drivers, after all that’s what makes the team. We’re as proud of our drivers as our crew when they make the jump to the next level, so hopefully this programme will produce part of the future of talented drivers and team members.”

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