The line-up of drivers who will perform a high-speed show for the public during Edinburgh city centre's forthcoming Dunlop British Touring Car Festival (Thursday 13 August) has been announced.
Thousands are expected to line Johnston Terrace, right next to the city's iconic castle, to watch the event that will act as a precursor to the British Touring Car Championship's race fixture that weekend (15-16 August) at the Knockhill circuit in Fife.
That's after the public has met the stars of the BTCC during an autograph session on Castle Terrace (next to Johnston Terrace).
Public admission to the event is FREE. The autograph session will start at midday with the first BTCC car expected 'on course' on Johnston Terrace at around 1.00pm.
Scotland's two BTCC heroes Gordon Shedden (Dalgety Bay) and Jonathan Adam (Kinghorn) will be star attractions in their Cartridge World SEAT Leon and Airwaves BMW respectively.
Current series leader Colin Turkington (Team RAC BMW), reigning Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi - joined by VX Racing team-mate Andrew Jordan in their Vauxhall Vectras - and former double BTCC Champion James Thompson (Team Dynamics Honda Civic) will also be in action. Each ranks as one of the world's very best touring car drivers.
Dunlop British Touring Car Festival driver line-up (provisional):Colin Turkington (current championship leader), Team RAC BMW 320si
Fabrizio Giovanardi (reigning Champion, VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
Andrew Jordan, VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
James Thompson (former double BTCC Champion), Team Dynamics Honda Civic
Jonathan Adam, Airwaves BMW 320si
Gordon Shedden, Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon
Tom Chilton, Team Aon Ford Focus ST
Harry Vaulkhard, bamboo engineering Chevrolet LacettiMartin Johnson, Boulevard Vauxhall Astra Coupe
John George, JAG/TH Motorsport Honda Integra
Sarah Moore (championship leader), Ginetta Junior
Fulvio Mussi, Ginetta G50
Barry Horne, Porsche Carrera Cup
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow said: "This is a stunning line-up of drivers, teams and cars for what will be a quite exceptional event. Edinburgh has a real buzz about it and to see the BTCC's cars and drivers in action right next to such an iconic landmark as its castle - let alone experience the noise and speed generated by the cars - is going to be awesome.
"Furthermore, of course, this all takes place right at the start of Edinburgh's world-famous Festivals period so as well as attracting many regular BTCC fans the crowd is also likely to include a fair percentage of people who've never before attended a BTCC event. It's a great event for Edinburgh, for the BTCC and for the public."
