Six more of the biggest names to have raced in the British Touring Car Championship’s golden two-litre era – Jeff Allam, Julian Bailey, Frank Biela, Kelvin Burt, Frank Sytner and Patrick Watts – have signed up for the first-ever ‘BTCC Masters’ race at Donington Park in six weeks’ time.
This takes the number of drivers confirmed for the star-studded event to 13, leaving just five places on the 18-car grid to fill. Six former champions – John Cleland, Robb Gravett, Tim Harvey, Alain Menu, Jason Plato and Gabriele Tarquini, plus double World Touring Car champion Paul Radisich – have already announced their participation.
Biela and Sytner were both two-litre BTCC title-winners and their inclusion takes the number of former champions taking part in the Masters race to eight. Ex-Formula One driver Bailey, Allam and Burt won races in the Nineties. Watts, although he never won a race, will always be remembered as one of the BTCC’s fiercest competitors.
All drivers taking part will race identical front-wheel-drive SEAT Cupras used by the Spanish manufacturer in its Holiday Inn-backed championship that in 2004 has supported the BTCC. The race will take place on Green Flag BTCC finals day at Donington Park, Leicestershire on Sunday, 26 September.
Frank Biela (GER): BTCC Champion 1996 (Audi quattro A4)
“When I heard about this race I thought ‘great idea’. Then I got the ‘phone call from Alan Gow and said ‘yes’ straight away. It will be great to see some of the old faces again and catch up on old times. We will all go into this thinking it’s more about fun, but I’m sure that very suddenly it will become very competitive for everyone!”
Frank Sytner (GBR): BTCC Champion 1988 & two-litre class Champion 1990 (BMW M3)
“I had another race in France that day but this takes precedence. What a fantastic opportunity for a comeback at 60! It’s a race of egos and reputations and it will be fascinating to see if racing all sorts of big, powerful historic cars these past ten years has made me any quicker or slower. The last time I raced a front-wheel-drive car was a Mini in 1962 so I’m very much a rank outsider which is an ideal position to be in. Is there a driver I want to beat in particular? No, but I’d like a good race with John Cleland – we had some exciting races together in the late Eighties and early Nineties and although there was needle then there isn’t now. Then again, when the race starts …”
Jeff Allam (GBR): BTCC race-winner 1974-1994 (Vauxhall Viva, Ford Capri, Rover Vitesse, BMW M3, Vauxhall Cavalier)
“I’ve been a touring car driver all my life so this is a very special race to me. If there’s one driver I want to beat it’s John Cleland – he was my team-mate at Vauxhall and we had some great times and great races together. I’m not bothered where I finish so long as it’s in front of him – it will be great competing with him again. In fact, the whole grid is going to be full of fantastic drivers and I’m sure there will be a massive crowd – they are likely going to see the BTCC title decided that day, plus this race. What an event it will be.”
Julian Bailey (GBR): BTCC race-winner 1991-95 (Nissan Primera & Toyota Corolla)
“It’s a great race and there’s no way I could turn it down so ultimately I’m doing this for fun. During my BTCC years I definitely had an inferior car to the rest, but this time we’ll be on equal footing which should be interesting. I’ve not raced for a while and might be a bit rusty, but I think I’ll do well. I was better than that lot any way.”
Patrick Watts (GBR): BTCC racer 1992-1997 (Mazda 323/Xedos & Peugeot 406)
“I never won a race in the BTCC, but then I never had the car. Besides, I didn’t want the publicity. This time we’re in equal cars so it’s my big chance. I’ve been doing a bit of rallying and have learnt a few techniques that will help me win. I have a special line planned for the Craner Curves on the first lap – from the first bit across to Schwanz Curve it’s a straight line and figure if I can drive a rally car sideways on gravel, then a bit of grass will be easy. Photographers are advised to stand well back.”
Kelvin Burt (GBR): BTCC race-winner 1990-1997 (BMW M3, Ford Mondeo & Volvo 850/S40)
“It will be great to go back to racing some of my old adversaries. I’ve not been doing as much racing as I’d like recently so what an event to make a mark. We’ve all got pride and I certainly don’t want to finish at the back. Fans of the BTCC new and old will flock to see this – it’s going to be a fantastic race. At first I thought it might be a Jason Plato benefit – after all, he drives for SEAT’s BTCC team so might have a few inside tips – but having thought about it I think he is beatable. He’ll find it a lot harder than he thinks.”
