for 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."
For more information about the BTCC visit the championship's official website btcc.net. For a Croft BTCC timetable click on the website's ‘Calendar' section.
Note to sportsdesk: hi-res copyright free BTCC images are available from BTCC.net's Media section. Log-in details plus exclusive interviews with the BTCC's drivers are available from the contact below.
The Croft crowds are sure to be cheering for home heroes Jason Plato and James Thompson when the BTCC races at the Darlington track on 16 July
