BRITISH TOURING CARS LIVE: EDINBURGH
CLELAND CONFIRMS COMMENTARY ROLE AT
John Cleland, one of Scottish motor racing's most famous
names, is backing the first-ever British Touring Cars Live:
Edinburgh event on Thursday 31 August and has confirmed he
will be providing expert commentary for the crowds.
The event, in association with the City of Edinburgh Council,
will see stars of the UK's top motor racing series, the Dunlop
MSA British Touring Car Championship, demonstrate their cars
on a closed public road in front of the crowds in the centre
of the Scottish capital.
Cleland, a double BTCC champion, says the event is a perfect
way to warm-up for the forthcoming Knockhill BTCC race meeting
on 2-3 September. And his commentary on the evening is sure
to be popular - the Melrose man's outrageous remarks and witty
one-liners made him a household name in the Nineties.
"The public appeal of an event like this will be tremendous
- there'll be so much noise and razzamatazz to soak up,"
says Cleland. "People can watch the racing at Knockhill
and get close to the cars in the paddock, but to see them
performing in a city centre environment will be something
else. I raced in the Birmingham Superprix street races in
the late Eighties and the public came flooding out to see
the cars then.
"It'll also be tremendous fun just to be a part of the
event, let alone commentate on proceedings. The fact the BTCC
is arriving during the city's Festivals period is a big bonus
- the event pulls people from all over the world which means
the BTCC will be playing to a completely new audience in Edinburgh.
It's great for the BTCC and for UK motor sport as a whole."
From 19.00, spectators lining Johnston Terrace, right by
Edinburgh Castle, will see nine BTCC stars plus three more
drivers from the supporting Formula BMW, Porsche Carrera Cup
and SEAT Cupra championships in spectacular action driving
the cars they will race at the nearby Knockhill circuit on
2-3 September.
The first driver scheduled to be on course in Edinburgh,
accompanied by the sound of Scottish bagpipes, will be the
country's own BTCC hero Gordon Shedden in his Team Halfords
Honda Integra. Shedden is in his debut BTCC season but already
has racked up four race wins and lies fifth in the championship
standings.
Other star names performing for the crowds will be Colin
Turkington and Jason Plato in their Team RAC MG and SEAT Leon
respectively. The whole BTCC grid, including reigning champion
and current series leader Matt Neal, will also be present
at the event to meet the public during an autograph session
that starts at 18.00 in the fan-friendly BTCC paddock that
is being specially created along Castle Terrace.
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