......for only UK appearance
The FIA World Touring Car Championship LG Race of UK heads to Silverstone – The Home of British Motor Racing - on 13-15 May 2005, to kick off an unbelievable season of motorsport at the UK’s premier motorsport venue. Being the only UK round of this hugely entertaining and fiercely competitive race series, Silverstone will be British fans’ only opportunity to see the world’s top touring car drivers in action, and tickets are now on sale at www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk.
Fans will be treated to two spectacular WTCC races and a world class package of support races, including the stunning FIA GT Championship. Door-to-door racing is guaranteed, as some of the biggest names in motorsport go all out to stake their claim for the World Championship crown. Tickets for all three days of the event are now on sale and, if booked in advance, are available from £25 for raceday (£30 on the day), £8 for qualifying on Saturday (£10 on the day) and free of charge on the Friday.
Weekend Tickets, for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, are available from £30. Weekend Tickets are only available in advance. Reigning champion Andy Priaulx will be leading the British challenge at Silverstone, driving for BMW Team UK, while James Thompson, current British Touring Car Champion, will be keen to impress the home crowd in his Alfa Romeo. Thompson has made the step up to World Touring cars this season and will be up for the challenge at a circuit he knows particularly well.
Rob Huff, driving for Chevrolet, and local lad Jason Plato – a wild card entry with SEAT – complete the line-up of British drivers, all of whom will be looking forward to strong support from the stands. Oxford based Plato knows Silverstone better than anyone, and will be confident of taking on the big boys in his own back yard. The World Touring Car Championship boasts a world-class grid, and the foreign contingent won’t be heading to Silverstone simply to make up the numbers.
Fans can expect sparks to be flying and pulses to be racing with the likes of Gabriele Tarquini, Alain Menu, Rickard Rydell and Jorg and Dirk Muller battling it out at the world famous Northamptonshire circuit. The FIA GT Championship also boasts a mouth-watering entry. Star of the show will be British representative, the new Aston Martin DBR9, making its UK debut in the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy. Recognised as one of the most prestigious competitions in motorsport, the Tourist Trophy will be celebrating its Centenary at Silverstone. The legendary Aston Martin will be taking on the superb Maserati MC12s, Ferrari 575 M Maranellos and Saleens in a field packed with top quality drivers.
The three hour race will be relentless from start to finish. Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, commented: “Silverstone is delighted to be hosting the World Touring Car Championship on 13-15 May. We couldn’t have asked for a more exciting event to kick off our season of world-class motorsport.
“This will be the only opportunity for fans to see the World Touring Car Championship in the UK this year, and with several of Britain’s top drivers competing, we’re expecting strong support from the Silverstone crowd. This is only the second time the series has appeared in the UK – the last time being 1987 – so it’ll be great to see the series back on the motorsport calendar.
“The FIA GT Championship and Alfa Romeo 147 GTA Cup will also add to a fantastic atmosphere and a truly entertaining weekend for all the family.” All tickets include general admission and roving seat Free admission for children aged 15 and under. Children must be accompanied by a full paying adult – maximum of 6 children per adult Free parking To purchase tickets, or for further information on the FIA World Touring Car Championship LG Race of UK visit silverstone-circuit.co.uk, or call 08704 588260.
