Jayde Kruger & Jack Mitchell impress Motorbase at Snetterton

TOCA Support champions Jayde Kruger and Jack Mitchell have completed Dunlop-backed tests with Motorbase Performance at Snetterton as reward for their stellar championship winning season’s.

Joining Renault UK Clio Cup victor Mike Bushell at the Norfolk circuit earlier this week, the pair made a huge impression on the Kent-based BTCC outfit and Mat Jackson as they took to the wheel of the team’s race winning Ford Focus and completed a number of different runs.

Piloting a tin-top for the first time in more than ten years, Formula Ford GB champion Kruger was delighted to take his chance and make the next step in what has already been an impressive career to date.

“It was good, a little difficult, but good. It’s quite different with a change from rear to front wheel drive, and having a roof over my head, but on the whole it was a great experience,” admitted the 26-year-old.

“It was nice to work with a good team like Motorbase, and I must say a big thank you to Dunlop, Motorbase and Ford for a great opportunity and hopefully something that will stand me in good stead for the future.”

With Bushell and Kruger sharing driving duties on Wednesday, Ginetta Junior champion Mitchell was handed his opportunity to test on Thursday and made steady improvements as the day progressed.

The Motorbase/Airwaves-backed youngster said: “Obviously I was nervous getting into the car for the first time but everyone in the team made me feel that bit more confident and having familiar faces around me certainly helped.

“Mat [Jackson] was a big help today as he has been all year. I didn’t really feel under pressure to perform as that wasn’t what the test was about; I wasn’t here to set a really fast time but just to experience the BTCC car at my own pace and improve as the day went on and the team did a great job in helping me to do that.”

Mitchell concluded: “I would like to thank everyone at Motorbase and especially Mat for today. It’s been a fantastic experience, and one which I hope will help me in the future.”

Having provided his expertise and assistance over both days, two-time 2014 BTCC race winner Jackson was impressed by the performances of all three support champions.

“The guys did very well over the two days and they each had a very good approach to the test” said Jackson. “Clearly each of the drivers are in different stages of their career but they all came across very well. They all have the natural ability so my input was more based around procedural information.

“The BTCC cars are different to most race cars and have their quirky ways, so they needed a little confidence in understanding how the car moves and behaves, and I obviously helped them when we were going through the data with them between runs.

“I wish them all the best of luck in whatever route they choose to take.”