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Countdown begins to Brands Hatch season-opener |
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Monday, 17 March 2008 |
 Two weeks and counting: there is now less than a fortnight to go before Kent’s
world-famous Brands Hatch circuit stages the opening rounds of Britain’s most
popular motor racing series – the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship –
on Sunday 30 March. The event marks the start to the UK’s 2008 motor
sport calendar
Many predict this year’s BTCC will be one of the closest-fought on record in
what is the championship’s golden anniversary season. Three former champions –
Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal and Jason Plato – headline a star-studded grid of
drivers that also consists of a dozen or more potential
winners.
Retaining its huge public appeal, the BTCC is contested by
high-performance racing versions of everyday road cars and Alfa Romeo, BMW,
Chevrolet, Honda, Lexus, SEAT and Vauxhall are all represented on 2008’s
grid.
Three races on Sunday – each guaranteed to provide plenty of the
high-adrenaline, bumper-to-bumper action that has become a hallmark of the BTCC
– are sure to keep the crowds on their feet. As well, there will be further
action from the five supporting race categories.
Brands Hatch’s BTCC
season-opener is sure to attract a huge race day crowd: the circuit is within
easy reach of central London and the M25 and M20 motorways. All-day admission
for adults costs just £22.00 if booked in advance and entry for children aged 12
and under is FREE. Adding to the attraction, the Brands
circuit’s lay-out, surrounded by high banks, means the crowds can see virtually
the whole racing lap being played out in front of them.
Part of race day
also includes the Pit Lane Walkabout when the public – including many families –
can cross the track to meet the BTCC drivers for plenty of exciting
give-aways.
And it is fitting that Brands will start the BTCC’s golden
anniversary celebrations – it was at the same circuit that the championship’s
first race was held back in 1958. As well, Brands is the only circuit in the UK
to stage BTCC races in every one of the 50 years since, making it something of a
spiritual home for the championship.
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