BRANDS HATCH "TOO CLOSE TO CALL" CLAIMS BTCC BOSS
GOW
Alan Gow, the man in charge of Britain's biggest motor racing
championship - the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
- believes picking a winner in the series' opening rounds
at Brands Hatch, Kent on 9 April is "too close to call".
According to Gow, more than half the field has the potential
to win at Brands. Matt Neal (Team Halfords Honda) is a strong
bet to retain his title, but the opposition includes some
of the best touring car drivers in the world including Jason
Plato and James Thompson (SEAT), Tom Chilton and Fabrizio
Giovanardi (Vauxhall) and Colin Turkington and Rob Collard
(Team RAC MGs).
Gow says: "As we've seen in a few other sports recently,
2006 seems to be the year for some shock results and I can
see the same happening in the BTCC at Brands Hatch. The circuit
always generates close, exciting and unpredictable races,
plus we have probably as many as a dozen drivers who could
conceivably come away with a race win that day.
"Without doubt, it's going to be very competitive right
from the start and, for anyone looking for an action-packed
day out, Brands Hatch on 9 April has to be a date in their
diary. Certainly, our records show that many people become
hooked by the BTCC on their first visit and then remain lifelong
fans. There's always a lot for people to do and see at a BTCC
race meeting, particularly at a circuit like Brands Hatch
- a natural amphitheatre that probably provides the best spectator
viewing of any motor racing venue in Britain."
The BTCC will be in race action three times at Brands Hatch
on 9 April - Matt Neal will go there hoping to start the defence
of his 2005 title with wins in his Team Halfords Honda Integra.
But adds Gow: "What Matt and his team achieved in 2005
was sensational - to win at this level requires an exceptional
performance. But it was also a slap in the face for their
rivals and you can bet your bottom dollar that the established
big hitters such as Vauxhall, SEAT and Team RAC won't have
liked that one bit. They will all have doubled their efforts
to ensure they don't suffer the same in 2006 and will be planning
to strike back at the very earliest opportunity... and that's
at Brands Hatch.
"I genuinely believe that there are several smaller
teams who could spring a major surprise on their debuts at
Brands. Motorbase Performance, the local team, and Eurotech
might be new to the game, but each is running one of last
year's Halfords Hondas and are proven outfits in other categories.
We have some smaller teams also out to make a big name for
themselves. All that's certain is that it's too close to call."
Crowds travelling to Brands Hatch on 9 April will not just
see the BTCC in race action three times, but also another
eight supporting races from high-profile championships put
on by top car manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT.
On race day, the pit lane will be opened free of charge to
spectators and families to meet the BTCC drivers and grab
give-aways during a special autograph session.
Admittance is free for children aged 12 and under and there
is still a chance to buy adult tickets at discounted prices
- booking online at www.brandshatch.co.uk costs just £20.
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