Britain’s biggest motor racing spectacle, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, will produce three of its most exciting races this year when it visits Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit on 19 June. So says the man in charge of the BTCC, Alan Gow.
Oulton’s challenging lay-out allied to the close racing in the BTCC means that the Cheshire circuit always throws up some of season’s most exciting and dramatic moments. Spectator viewing is also among the best in the country.
The circuit’s location near the M56, M53 and M63 motorway network means it is regularly well attended by people from the cities of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester. It is also a favourite among travelling crowds from North Wales, while the nearby M6 provides a direct route from the north and south.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says: “We always enjoy racing at Oulton Park – the crowd is not just always one of the biggest and most vocal but also among the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic that the BTCC races in front of.
“This is the BTCC’s only visit to the north-west in 2005 and Oulton Park’s location makes it the perfect place for the tens of thousands of BTCC fans in the region to come and see the racing at first hand.
“I know the teams and drivers can’t wait for this meeting. The racing throughout the field has been exceptionally close so far this season and, with live ITV1 coverage on race day, Oulton could just produce something very special, even by the BTCC’s very high standards.”
Leading the BTCC are Team Halfords Honda drivers Matt Neal and Dan Eaves, but they are under growing pressure from Vauxhall’s Yvan Muller and SEAT’s Jason Plato. The Oulton crowds will get a chance to meet all four drivers and the rest of the BTCC stars during the hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout on race day at Oulton.
The BTCC drivers will do battle three times and there will be six more races from high-profile manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT to keep the crowds entertained. Adult race day tickets booked in advance on the Oulton Park website www.motorsportvision.co.uk cost just £19. Children aged 12 and under get in free.
Meanwhile, Alan Gow adds: “The BTCC is all about entertaining the crowds and value for money. I applaud the effort that circuit owner MotorSport Vision puts into ensuring Oulton Park’s race days are enjoyable for spectators, competitors, officials and media alike. It is one of the north-west’s best sporting venues.”
