EAST ANGLIA CIRCUIT NEXT STOP FOR BRITAIN'S TOP RACE SERIES
There are less than two weeks to go before the UK’s
biggest motor racing series – the Dunlop MSA British
Touring Car Championship – rolls into East Anglia for
its latest rounds at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk (28-29
July).
This will be the only opportunity this year for people across
the region to see the BTCC in action and the event is expected
to draw tens of thousands as the championship’s profile
continues to increase with live Sunday afternoon coverage
on terrestrial television channel ITV1.
Britain’s Jason Plato took two wins from three races
in his SEAT Leon at Donington Park yesterday (Sunday 15 July)
to move 25 points clear of Vauxhall rival, Italian Fabrizio
Giovanardi at the top of the championship standings. But with
potentially a dozen or so drivers on the 24-car grid capable
of winning, the title race is far from settled. Indeed, Snetterton’s
rounds will be crucial in deciding who goes on to lift what
is British motor sport’s most coveted trophy.
Snetterton is also one of the fastest tracks on the BTCC
calendar, with top speeds on the long Revett Straight expected
to nudge the 150mph mark.
Having achieved his career-best result of sixth yesterday
in his Motorbase Performance team’s SEAT Toledo, Norwich’s
Matt Allison will be eager to improve further on what will
be his first race weekend as a BTCC driver in front of his
home crowd.
Similarly, Norwich-based motoring organisation the RAC will
be looking for plenty of home support for its team’s
pair of cars, the BMW 320sis driven by Colin Turkington and
Tom Onslow-Cole. The RAC is also the event’s big race
day sponsor.
Another to watch for is Ipswich’s Rick Kerry, racing
the first diesel-powered car seen in the BTCC – a unique
BMW 120D – for his own Team AFM squad.
The bill of entertainment at Snetterton circuit on Sunday
29 July includes 12 races. In addition to the BTCC’s
latest three rounds, there will be plenty of action from the
supporting Formula BMW, Porsche Carrera, Formula Renault,
SEAT Cupra, Renault Clio and Historic Touring Car race series.
|
