Exciting racing is never guaranteed in motorsport but with the FIA World Touring Car Championship, which is coming to Britain in less than two weeks, spectators are offered a bit of insurance.
Organisers have designed an innovative system to equalise the performance of entrants using weight handicaps.
Kilos are added for the number of points each driver has in the championship combined with their finishing position in the last event, up to a maximum of 60kg: the equivalent of carrying a passenger!BMW 1-2-3 in the Czech Republic earlier this yearFellow BMW works drivers Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus and Jörg Müller are the three WTCC front-runners coming into the ninth round at Brands Hatch in 12 days’ time. The trio are separated by just six points but the advantage over the rest of the field gives them no cause to relax. At Brands Hatch each will carry the maximum ballast to keep the fight interesting at the Kent circuit.
Close behind in the points table are SEAT drivers Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini who both had a good weekend at the last event in Germany, but must now pay the price with maximum ballast.
Both, along with British N.Technology Alfa Romeo driver James Thompson on 55kg, are former British Touring Car Champions with plenty of Brands Hatch experience.
The final Brit in the line-up is Rob Huff who had a win two events ago in Sweden and having raced in the BTCC should also be able to handle his 45kg handicap.
Adult admission to Brands Hatch on Sunday 23 September costs £30, but only £24 if you book online at www.motorsportvision.co.uk, with an online weekend ticket costing £34.
Children aged 12 and under go free.
Grandstand seating starts at £5 and the Race Day Pit Walkabout, which opens at 09:00 on Sunday, costs £12. Advance booking is available from the Ticket Hotline on 08709 509000 and closes at noon on Tuesday 18 September.
Handicap Weights – Brands Hatch
Standing/ Driver/ Points/Weight1 Augusto Farfus (BMW) 69 +60kg2 Andy Priaulx (BMW) 68 +60kg3 Jörg Müller (BMW) 63 +60kg4 Yvan Muller (SEAT) 56 +60kg5 Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) 51 +60kg6 Nicola Larini (Chevrolet) 48 +50kg7 James Thompson (Alfa Romeo) 47 +55kg8 Alain Menu (Chevrolet) 45 +35kg9 Rob Huff (Chevrolet) 35 +45kg10 Tiago Monteiro (SEAT) 29 +30kg
