Very important because it was our second year as a two-car team with S2000 machinery and I needed to know we were going forward. In everything we do, we want to progress and get better at it, so for me, this will be the first time we go into the second year of a programme with the same car and won't be learning about it. We go into the year knowing what we can do and knowing we can carry our speed from 2008.

Crash.net:
You were one of the first people to start testing for 2009 with the session at Brands Hatch. How pleased were you with the way the four drivers on track settled in?

David Bartrum:
I really enjoyed that. Steven was there to see what was going on with the other drivers…

Crash.net:
…And to keep and eye on his car…

David Bartrum:
Yeah he was getting paranoid but the season was over so they are my cars again! In the close season I want to test some new talent and we had a mix of youth and experience with Tim Harvey doing some running for us. He was really good and was also keeping an eye on Jonathan Adam who was there with the BRDC Superstars programme and we gave him some help with that. We had James Nash as well who is a young driver who deserves more coverage than he gets in the UK as he is a young talent who came in from the SEAT Eurocup where he did a very good job. You leave the country and you may get forgotten a little bit so I was very pleased with the job he did. Michael Caine enjoys everything he does so I enjoyed those days and we learned a lot. We worked with Tim to double check a few things because, while he hasn't been in touring cars for a long time, he has a really good understanding of the championship and the cars, and is a very good test driver. We came away from that test with some good ideas for drivers.

Crash.net:
Jonathan we know is a back-to-back SEAT title winner and we know a lot about him already, but you mentioned James. How did he settle in?

David Bartrum:
James settled in very quickly. He came along on his own after one meeting I had with him and his father and I offered to test him. He sat down in the briefing with the engineers and Steven, went out in the car and did exactly what was asked of him. I think he came across very well and is a star of the future. Jonathan Adam is definitely a star of the future. There isn't a lot of work needed there to make him into a top class touring car driver and that is something we would like to try and do if the money permits. That is the big thing at the moment, as its all about budgets and that is the same for every team and driver. It's not a good time to be looking.

Crash.net:
You're in a good position with two drivers there who have shown the potential to come and do a good job. You had two drivers who did a good job and delivered podiums in 2008. But how challenging is this part of the year now as you chase sponsors to finalise, especially in the current economic climate to turn 'what ifs' into definites and get the 2009 programme in place?

David Bartrum:
It's very difficult for team and driver. You can't fail to see what is happening around you and it isn't a good time for money full-stop. Motor sport is a hobby for a lot of people or a business luxury that people can use as a business tool. When times are hard, people don't spend the money but we have to look at it and hope that there are people who look at it the other way and say 'Things are tight but we want to push ourselves and be noticed – and we want to do it through motor sport'. It's the same for the drivers. This season, our drivers had their ups and downs but they did a good job and I would like to keep both of them as well so we have to work hard to carry on for next year.

Crash.net:
Next year we have lost SEAT, but there are teams who have signalled their interest or announced plans for 2009. But with the current climate, what do you think we can expect from the grid next season? Will we struggle to meet some fans expectations of a big field?

David Bartrum:
I don't really know. It will be hard for all teams, big or small. The main teams will stay and hopefully some new teams will come in. Arena has already announced what they will do and I think they will be a great addition to the BTCC and will replace SEAT. You hear of Clyde Valley Racing and a couple of others who say they will come in and I hope they do. There will be natural wastage in these situations but things will move on and I think there will be a decent sized grid. Touring cars will come through it okay.

Crash.net:
With Arena, how good for the series do you think it is that they haven't just bought another BMW or a SEAT and will bring in something new with the Focus?

David Bartrum: