Team 48 June update....

Notwithstanding the subtle removal of the #19 and #48 cars from the btcc.net entry list page, Matthew Gore is still confident Team 48 will be out in some form after the break:

I got confirmation from Luther [Blisset] that we should be at Snetterton in July. The cars have been aquired but sponsorship hasn't come through to run it due to the set backs, Darelle [Wilson] is ready and waiting now and so am I so whatever Team48 has to do they will do, major set backs since March so as an Imported driver from little Ja[maica] I am still bless[ed] to be in the mix. Hope to be there in July, trust me don't listen to everything the papers or forums say, its worse that our [Jamaica] Star.

Yet another Team 48 update

Apparently racing license issues have been one of the main factors behind Team 48's no-show so far this season. Matthew Gore and the JMMC are believed to have convinced The Powers That Be, but ToCA are yet to be persuaded that young Darelle Wilson is experienced enough to mix it with the big boys. Matthew reckons that the team will be on the lookout for another driver for the #19 car if Darelle isn't sorted in time for Thruxton...

Team 48 update - updated

Posts on Jamaican racing forums claim that Matthew Gore (or is it Goré?) has flown back to Blighty and should be in the middle of 5(!) days of testing with the team. Apparently.

Update: They won't be at Rockingham after all. Time to start guessing who'll be on the grid first - Xero or 48?

More on Gore

team48's Matthew Gore - the BTCC's first ever Jamaican driver. And possibly the most unknown driver entered into the BTCC in recent years. Let's face it, we knew more about Farique Hairuman in 2004. Hairuman! Anyways, here's a few interesting facts about Matthew Gore.

• Born: Texas (!) USA on 24/07/79
  
• First started racing in 1995 with an '86 Toyota Starlet
  
• In 1999 he bought a '95 Mitsubishi Colt RS, coming 3rd overall in the Jamaican championship and 1st in the 2WD, 2DW Sprint, 2WD Rally as well as 2nd in the IP1 and MP1 circuit racing championships.
  
• Co-driver on various rallies in the Caribbean
  
• With sponsorship from "pimpjuice" in 2006 he acheived top 3 placings in sprints and rallies with a Lancer Evo VII and V respectively.
  
• Finished runner up in the Modified Production Class 3 of the Jamaican National Circuit Racing Championship by 0.6 (!) points, in addition to 2nd in the GTS championship.
  
• He's the second tallest driver in the 2008 BTCC.
  
• The tracks will be new to him, except Brands, Snetterton and Silverstone.
  
• Other drivers have already enquired of Matt Gore regarding supplies of Jamaican rum.
  

Gore's first impressions

I must say that this is a very big series here in Eng as they say its second to F1 as far as coverage,hipe,media and fans are concerned... the experience and professionalism is overwhelming.

It'll be a tough transition for him coming from Jamaica, where he's used to racing Evos and Subarus round rallies and the one road circuit in the country.