NORTH YORKS TRACK GEARS UP
BRITAIN'S TOP RACE CHAMPIONSHIP
The countdown has begun: there are now less than three weeks
to run before Britain's biggest motor racing series - the
Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) - headlines
at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire on Sunday 16 July.
Croft heralds the BTCC's only race meeting of the year in
the north-east of England so the circuit is traditionally
packed out with spectators - last year's event drew the Darlington
track's biggest crowd for almost a decade. Adding to the big
race day atmosphere are ITV1 cameras that broadcast the race
action live to households across the UK.
And fans will have their own local dream team to cheer on
- former champions Jason Plato, with his Newcastle roots,
and James Thompson, from Harrogate are team-mates in the leading
SEAT Sport UK squad. Both will be looking to steer their SEAT
Leons to victory on home ground as they continue their chase
for Britain's biggest motor racing prize - the BTCC Champion's
trophy. In addition, Bridlington-based privateer Mark Proctor
will hope to produce a giant-killing performance in his Fast-Tec
team's Honda Civic.
The BTCC will be in race action three times at Croft on 16
July. And there will be a further seven races from the five
supporting championship run by high-profile manufacturers
BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT that tour the UK with the BTCC
- that's ten races in total.
Race day admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE
and adults can still book tickets in advance at the discounted
price of just £20.00 via Croft's website www.croftcircuit.co.uk
or the ticket hotline 01325 721815. That includes access to
the BTCC's star drivers for autographs and giveaways during
the hugely-popular morning Pit Lane Walkabout session. The
crowds will also be able to greet the BTCC stars before racing
gets under way with a special Drivers Parade around the track.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says. "Croft is always
one of the most popular fixtures on the BTCC calendar - the
lay-out of the circuit makes for some very exciting and sometimes
controversial action and the crowds get to see a lot of it
unfold thanks to the two huge grass banks that overlook the
track.
"Bear in mind that it's free admission for children
who can come in and meet the drivers for autographs and give-aways
in the paddock and Pit Lane Walkabout and it's clear why Croft's
BTCC race day is a big hit among families looking for a great
day out.
"Certainly, the crowds at Croft are extremely welcoming
and knowledgeable when the BTCC comes to town and it's something
the teams and drivers all notice. The BTCC is very much looking
forward to its race meeting at Croft."
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