Fifer Jonathan Adam has taken another significant step towards graduating to the British Touring Car Championship next year after setting a series of ultra-competitive times during a test with the Motorbase BMW team at Brands Hatch.
And the 26-year-old from Kirkcaldy, who dominated the Seat Cupra Championship for the second successive year, left the Kent circuit determined to raise the cash which would guarantee his place on next year’s BTCC grid.
“Having had a taste of a competitive British Touring car, I’m all the more committed to raising the sponsorship for next season,” the talented young Scot explained. “While I’m fully aware the current economic climate isn’t making sponsorship any easier for up-and-coming young racers to attract, I’m hoping the comprehensive television coverage the BTCC gets on ITV will help me.
“Allied to that, the Motorbase BMW is a very, very competitive car which I believe will be capable of not only winning races next year, but will be strong enough to win the championship. Obviously I want to be part of that.”
Adam — accompanied at the test by ex-BTCC ace and current Porsche Carrera Cup champ, Tim Harvey — admitted he took six or seven laps to get used to the handling characteristics of the rear-wheel-drive car, having spent the last three years racing front-wheel-drive Renault Clios and Seat Cupras.
But having got to terms with the BMW 320is 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 Brands Hatch last month.
“I got everything hooked up and I was delighted with my fastest time,” Adam, a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Superstars programme aimed at developing young racers, continued.
“I’m grateful for the support provided by the BRDC Superstars scheme. It’s been a goal of mine for two or three years to break into the BTCC and hopefully that will happen in 2009.
“I know the team were happy with what I achieved and certainly I’d love to race with them in the championship in 2009. They’re a very professional and committed team which I believe will be pushing for the title next year.
“I knew before I drove the BMW that I wanted to be in the BTCC. But now I know I can be competitive, that desire has got even stronger.” Adam’s position was further strengthened by the views of Motorbase boss David Bartrum.
“Jonathan’s a very quick driver with a great will to win, as his back-to-back championships have proved,” Bartrum said. “He approached every aspect of the test in a very professional manner, interacts very well with the team, is strong with feedback and his approach is very good. He has a great future ahead of him.”
JM