STAYING power will be the key to the first race meeting at Rockingham when Britcar returns for a third consecutive year to provide the curtain-raiser to the Northamptonshire circuit’s 10th anniversary season.
The Britcar championships moves to a new level this season with two competitions in one race – and on Saturday, April 16, the organisers will be bringing its newly-titled MSA British Endurance Championship.
The premier race series will be contested in conjunction with the Britcar Dunlop Production GTN Championship. With its runners being flagged off after 100 minutes allowing for the more powerful GT cars to motor on and complete the three gruelling hours on track.
Also new is the introduction of LMP2 sports prototypes to the endurance series, with the Le Mans type open cars with stock-block engines going head-to-head with the regular GT models such as Mosler, Aquilla, Ferrari, Marcos and Porsche.
These cars may be rapid, but the new “big bangers” will be thirstier than their supercar counterparts with additional fuel stops equalising their performance. It’s a multi-class formula, too, so even the lower-powered Lotus and Ginetta marques have a chance of glory and even the coveted overall title.
There is nothing quite like endurance racing for variety, intrigue and excitement too. The battling Production saloons – BMW, Seat, Honda plus an eclectic group of road-based sports cars – will be vying for position in their own race while the thundering GT and Prototype contenders assertively pick their way through to lap them.
Supporting Britcar will be the Ma5da MX5 Championship, the largest one make, single class series. The Rockingham crowd can look forward to some very close racing with great battles all the way down the field.
Rockingham Director Charlotte Orton, said: “This is our 10th anniversary year, and what better way to start the celebrations than with the Britcar series, which has some of the world’s most glamorous sports cars on track. As these championships are team-based, it means good preparation, slick pit-work, and canny strategy; all play an integral part in success on track, which adds to the excitement and entertainment for spectators.”
During each meeting there will be plenty of opportunity to get close to the racing action with an open paddock and free grandstand seats for everyone. There is the usual off-the-track entertainment including Rockingham’s in-house race simulators.
With children aged 15 and under getting in FREE and adult admission tickets frozen at 2008 prices, families are guaranteed the chance to enjoy a whole day of quality entertainment at a price they can afford.
Fans can save up to 20 per cent on adult admission prices by booking before midday on Friday, April 15. Race day tickets cost just £10, and can be booked in advance on-line at rockingham.co.uk or via the ticket hotline on 01536 500500 and select Option 1.
Rockingham prides itself on providing access to all motorsport fans, and those who are registered disabled can apply for a FREE admission ticket for their carer. Written proof is required.
