The countdown has begun: there are less than two weeks to go before the country's top motor racing series - the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) - arrives in the South West for its latest rounds at the high-speed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire on Sunday 18 May.
Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the BTCC calendar with a dizzying average speed of some 110mph. As a consequence its high-loading corners and two heavy braking zones put a premium on driver bravery, car control and race craft.
The circuit's location - right next to the A303 dual carriageway - makes it easily accessible for motor sport fans from across the South-West, Thames Valley and southern coastal regions and a bumper crowd is expected for BTCC race day on 18 May.
Thruxton is where some of the BTCC's most dramatic moments have been played out in the championship's illustrious 50-year history, never more so than in 2007 when Vauxhall's Italian ace Fabrizio Giovanardi beat SEAT superstar Jason Plato to the title in an action-packed season finale.
And it is these two fierce rivals who, nine races into 2008's season, head the standings arriving at Thruxton this time around. Giovanardi took his third win of the year at Donington Park last Sunday, but Plato was on the podium in all three races - also winning and in doing so making history by becoming the first driver in the BTCC to win with a diesel-powered car, namely SEAT's new Leon TDI.
As a result, he has shot up to second in the points table and many predict the torque generated by his Leon's diesel-turbo engine could give him an edge at Thruxton as he seeks to further close in on Giovanardi in his Vectra VXR.
But there are plenty more names in the fight for this year's BTCC title - indeed, seven different drivers have all taken wins in this season's opening nine rounds. Of local interest, looking for their first victories of 2008 at Thruxton will be Poole-based Tom Chilton in his Team Halfords Honda Civic and Hook's Robert Collard in his Motorbase BMW 320si. Both are already proven race-winners in the BTCC.
In addition to the BTCC's three rounds that headline the action on 18 May, there will be a further seven races from a variety of supporting categories for the Thruxton crowds to savour.
Admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE. Adult race day tickets can be purchased for just £22.00 on the Thruxton website barc.net or by calling 01264 882200. That price includes access across the track to the morning Pit Lane Walkabout session when the public - including families - can meet the star BTCC drivers for autographs and photos.
