Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Series Director Alan Gow has likened this year’s title fight to a top-flight football match as it reaches its mid-way point – with neither Jason Plato nor chief rival Fabrizio Giovanardi wanting to be behind entering the season’s second half.
SEAT driver Plato leads Vauxhall’s Giovanardi by just two points as they prepare for their next rounds at Oulton Park, Cheshire on 24 June. The event will witness rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 30-round championship.
Gow, who made the BTCC a household name in the Nineties, reckons the battle to win Britain’s most prized motor racing title this year is among the hardest-fought he’s seen.
“Oulton’s BTCC race day traditionally attracts a bumper crowd and the circuit is always one of the biggest challenges for the drivers,” says Gow. “This year the championship arrives there for what could well be a decisive moment in the title battle – one of the closest I can recall.
“It’s a little like a top-level football match, and certainly as competitive as any you’d see at the top of the Premiership – Jason will want to keep hold of his lead going into half-time and Fabrizio will be determined to at least get level before the second half of the season. This is a psychological battle as much as anything.
“Ultimately, people love rivalries and it’s great to see two top sportsmen pushing each other so hard.”
Gow believes that it’s not too late for other rivals to emerge as threats to the two leaders. Although 46 points adrift, reigning champion Matt Neal’s Team Halfords Honda appeared to have the legs over Plato’s SEAT and Giovanardi’s Vauxhall in the most recent rounds. The BMW name also returned to the top step of the podium thanks to a win for Team RAC driver Colin Turkington.
“It’s not just about Jason and Fabrizio and it could be that neither ends the season as champion as there’s still plenty of time for fortunes to change,” adds Gow. “There’s a grid of 24 drivers and at least half of those have the ability to win.
“In the previous meeting at Croft the nine podium positions in our three races were all filled by nine different drivers. It’s that competitive.
“We also saw BMW return to the winner’s circle, SEAT driver Darren Turner achieve his first victory in the BTCC and reigning champion Team Halfords start to come on very strong with its new Honda Civic.
“We very much look forward to welcoming the public to Oulton Park on 24 June. It’s going to be a great day of racing and excitement.”
The track action at Oulton on 24 June begins at midday with the first of three BTCC rounds. However, the public is advised to get there early for the popular Pit Lane Walkabout session when the crowds are invited into the pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and giveaways. In addition there will be another six races on the Sunday bill, featuring the supporting BMW, Porsche, SEAT and Renault championships.
Race day adult ticket prices are still just £21 if purchased online at http://www.oultonpark.co.uk/ or £22 if bought by calling 0870 950 9000 before midday on Tuesday 19 June. Admission for children aged 12 and under is FREE, making this a great day of entertainment for the family.
