BRANDS HATCH CIRCUIT ALL SET FOR UK MOTOR RACING'S TOP NAMES
Two weeks and counting: there is now less than a fortnight to go before Kent’s world-famous Brands Hatch circuit stages the opening rounds of Britain’s most popular motor racing series – the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship – on Sunday 30 March. The event marks the start to the UK’s 2008 motor sport calendar.
Many predict this year’s BTCC will be one of the closest-fought on record in what is the championship’s golden anniversary season. Three former champions – Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal and Jason Plato – headline a star-studded grid of drivers that also consists of a dozen or more potential winners.
Retaining its huge public appeal, the BTCC is contested by high-performance racing versions of everyday road cars and Alfa Romeo, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Lexus, SEAT and Vauxhall are all represented on 2008’s grid.
Three races on Sunday – each guaranteed to provide plenty of the high-adrenaline, bumper-to-bumper action that has become a hallmark of the BTCC – are sure to keep the crowds on their feet. As well, there will be further action from the five supporting race categories.
Brands Hatch’s BTCC season-opener is sure to attract a huge race day crowd: the circuit is within easy reach of central London and the M25 and M20 motorways. All-day admission for adults costs just £22.00 if booked in advance and entry for children aged 12 and under is FREE. Adding to the attraction, the Brands circuit’s lay-out, surrounded by high banks, means the crowds can see virtually the whole racing lap being played out in front of them.
Part of race day also includes the Pit Lane Walkabout when the public – including many families – can cross the track to meet the BTCC drivers for plenty of exciting give-aways.
And it is fitting that Brands will start the BTCC’s golden anniversary celebrations – it was at the same circuit that the championship’s first race was held back in 1958. As well, Brands is the only circuit in the UK to stage BTCC races in every one of the 50 years since, making it something of a spiritual home for the championship.
To pre-book adult tickets to watch the BTCC at Brands Hatch on Sunday 30 March visit brandshatch.co.uk or tel. 0870 950 9000.
