The clock is ticking: there are now less than three weeks to go before Britain’s premier motor racing series – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – makes its only visit of the year to the North East, at the Croft circuit near Darlington on 3 June.
The BTCC this year celebrates a decade of racing at Croft which in the past few years has attracted record crowds to watch the championship as it re-emerges as one of the nation’s favourite sporting spectacles. Easily accessed from across the North via the A1 and A66 motorways, tens of thousands of fans – many knowing this is their only chance of the year to see the BTCC in action – are again expected to flock to the challenging circuit.
Once more, children aged 15 and under will be admitted FREE on race day and adults can still buy tickets for just £22 if booked by Friday 18 May, either via Croft’s website croftcircuit.co.uk or calling the circuit on 01325 721815. That price includes FREE access to the BTCC paddock and to the hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout when the public, including families, is invited into the pit lane to meet the drivers and teams for autographs, photos and plenty of great giveaways.
The home crowd will have plenty to cheer as well: Newcastle-born Jason Plato will arrive at Croft leading the drivers’ standings having won four of this year’s opening nine rounds in his SEAT Leon. Also on the 25-strong grid is Durham driver Simon Blanckley in his sibsport team’s Honda Integra.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says: “The fans at Croft are among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the country. They are also extremely welcoming when the championship arrives and that is greatly appreciated by the teams and drivers.
“2007 marks the tenth anniversary of the BTCC at Croft since the championship’s first meeting there in 1997 and I’m sure the drivers will put on three very exciting races to celebrate the moment.
“The title race this year is as intense as any in the past decade and I’m sure we’ll see some great drama at Croft. We very much look forward to welcoming fans to what is sure to be a memorable day of fast and furious entertainment.”
In addition to the BTCC’s latest three rounds on 3 June, there will be seven more races for the crowds to savour from the supporting BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT championships.
