British Touring Car Championship Heads to Rockingham

WITH just three rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship remaining, the UK’s premier race series arrives at Rockingham next weekend (September 14/15) with five drivers leading the charge for silverware.

The Northamptonshire circuit will again play a crucial part in the outcome of this season’s title race with Pirtek Racing’s young challenger Andrew Jordan going head-to-head with four BTCC champions.

Jordan is currently second in the standings just six points behind championship leader Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s Matt Neal but he will need three strong performances at Rockingham if he is going to have any chance of clinching his first title.

Neal will not make it easy for the 24-year-old Pirtek Racing driver, as the three time former champion still needs just one more championship crown to match Andy Rouse’s record of four BTCC titles.

Reigning champion Gordon Shedden occupies third place and is still very much in contention and will not want to relinquish his BTCC crown to his Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate, or anyone else for that matter!

Colin Turkington has certainly made an impression on his BTCC return with EBay Motors; the 2009 champion collected two race wins at Knockhill Circuit last month, and will be looking to continue his charge up the standings.

Double champion Jason Plato, who always performs well at Rockingham, occupies fifth spot but three solid performances from the MG KX Momentum Racing driver will certainly boost his hopes of securing a third BTCC title.

Who will win the 2013 title is still anyone’s guess with a number of drivers still mathematically in with a shout of becoming champion, but the atmosphere at Rockingham is guaranteed to be tense as the push for silverware continues.

In addition to the BTCC showdown, there will also be 11 races from the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, Renault UK Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior and Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup.

BTCC fans will know that the track action is non-stop, and visitors to the Northamptonshire circuit can expect a great day out for the family in addition to the bumper-to-bumper racing as there will be plenty of off-track entertainment.

Away from the racing, Sparky Stunts will be performing his Dunlop Motorbike Stunt Show on Saturday and Sunday lunchtime on the main straight. There will also be the chance to learn how to do the perfect wheelie on his special motorbike simulator machine in the trade stand area.

Younger member of the family will have lots of things to do, including amazing bungee trampoline, small fun fair rides, obstacle course, Rodeo Bull, riffle range, shooting gallery, bouncy castle and face painting.

Rockingham lets you get closer to the action than any other circuit with free access to the touring car paddock and pit roof together with a free pit lane walkabout. With the best trackside views of the season, fans won’t miss a minute of the action from one of the free grandstand seats which overlooks every corner or every lap.

Advance tickets can be booked online at www.rockingham.co.uk or via the hotline on 01536 500500, option1, until midday on Friday, September 13. Weekend passes cost £40, which includes a free BTCC programme and Sunday race day tickets are £27. Tickets will also be available of the gate priced £32 (Sunday race day) and £15 (Saturday).

Rockingham prides itself on providing access to all motorsport fans, and those who are registered disabled can apply for a complimentary* admission ticket for their carer, while children aged 16 and under get in FREE.

Top of the range hospitality packages are also still available for just £99 per person plus VAT, which includes full catering throughout the day, complimentary bar, VIP parking and your entrance ticket.

For more information contact Will Thomas on 01536 270143 or email will.thomas@rockingham.co.uk.


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