WITH this season’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title race far from over, the UK’s premier racing series heads to Rockingham for what could be make or break for the 2015 champion-elects.
Over the past three seasons, the drivers who have won two of the three rounds at Rockingham, have gone on to be crowned BTCC champion – Gordon Shedden (2012); Andrew Jordan (2013) and Colin Turkington (2014).
Jason Plato will be hoping this trend continues this season, as he heads to the Northamptonshire circuit at the top of the leader board despite only adding 19-points to his tally over the weekend at Knockhill.
Having won six rounds at the Corby venue – more than any other BTCC competitor - the Team BMR must be quietly confident as he heads back to Rockingham’s International Super Sportscar Circuit over the weekend of September 5/6.
However with just 11-points separating the former double champion and his nearest rival, Honda Yuasa Racing’s Shedden who himself has notched three race victories at Rockingham, Plato will not have it all his own way!
Shedden’s Honda Yuasa Racing teammate, Matt Neal, occupies third spot in the championship table but despite two race wins at Rockingham in 2008 and 2010, the Northamptonshire circuit has not been a happy hunting ground for the former triple champion in recent seasons.
Reigning champion Colin Turkington (Team BMR) and 2013 winner Andrew Jordan (MG Triple Racing) complete the top five standings, just 39-points behind the leader both are still very much in contention for this season’s top prize.
In addition to the three highly-charged BTCC showdowns, there will be qualifying and racing from the Renault UK Clio Cup, MSA Formula Championship, KICK Start Energy Ginetta Junior Championship, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercar and HSCC Super Touring Car Championship.
Advance tickets can be booked online at www.rockingham.co.uk or via the hotline on 01536 500500 option1, until midday on Friday, September 4. Weekend passes cost £37.50, Sunday race day tickets are £30 and Saturday entry price is just £12.50.
