Silverstone will make for one of  BTCC's Best

Returning the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to Silverstone’s shorter National circuit on Sunday 18 September for the first time in ten years will prove to be a masterstroke. So says the man in charge of the BTCC, Alan Gow and the driver currently leading the championship, Matt Neal.

Not since 1995 has the BTCC grid tackled the National lay-out – instead the action has been mainly on the second biggest of Silverstone’s three tracks, the International circuit, with some races on the full-sized Grand Prix loop.

But BTCC Series Director Gow is convinced that the welcome reintroduction of the National circuit will create some ultra-intense racing among the championship’s star drivers, particularly as the title race enters its penultimate round at Silverstone.

"Silverstone’s National circuit is a hidden treasure," comments Gow. "The competition in the BTCC is tighter than in any other championship and, when you think how close the racing used to be around the National circuit then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out what lies in store for the spectators.

"The short lay-out means more laps for the drivers and the crowds – in other words, even better value for money. There’ll also once again be the sight of the BTCC cars fanning out maybe up to four abreast down the old National straight. The atmosphere and sense of occasion is going to be something else."

Gow adds: "Bear in mind also that the championship is at a crucial stage, not just for the drivers but also manufacturers and teams. I predict plenty of frayed nerves and tempers on and off the track."

Team Halfords Honda Integra driver Neal raced on the National circuit in the BTCC in the Nineties and believes the track is going to provide crowds with some great racing. He will arrive at Silverstone with a 30-point championship lead and could, mathematically, put the title out of his rivals’ reach.

Neal says: "This is a really good move and I’d say that any one of ten drivers could win there – that might not be what I need right now, but it’ll be great for the crowds.

"I’ve got some good and bad memories of racing around the National circuit, particularly under braking for Brooklands corner at the end of the long National straight – there are always drama and heroics going into there."

James Kaye is the only other current BTCC driver to have previously raced in the championship around Silverstone National. Kaye, who races the Synchro Motorsport team's Honda Civic, adds: "It might sound simple – three straights and four corners – but it’s a really challenging circuit.

"All of the straights are very long and two of them are into tight corners so there’s plenty of overtaking. Also, the circuit is wide so cars are able to complete an entire lap side-by-side. It’s going to be fast, furious action all the way."

The BTCC will race three times at Silverstone on Sunday 18 September, in addition to eight more races put on by supporting championships from prestige motor manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT. That’s 11 races in one day for just £20 per adult on the gate.

There are also some great discount ticket offers available by visiting the BTCC’s official website btcc.net or silverstone-circuit.co.uk. Children aged 15 and under get in for free, making it a terrific family day out.