BRITAIN’S biggest car racing championship heads to Oulton Park this weekend.
After three thrilling opening rounds, the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship is ready to head to Cheshire.
The championship table is led by Honda Racing’s Matt Neal, following a successful weekend at Thruxton where he recorded two wins.
Pirtek Honda driver Andrew Jordan will be aiming to continue a consistent campaign that sees him just 13 points off the lead.
Also involved in the title race is Neal’s rival Jason Plato, spearheading MG’s attack as he fights for his third championship.
Plato has a strong record at the Cheshire circuit, which has a reputation as one of the toughest of the season to master. A combination of undulations and challenging bends that tests the cars to their limits makes Oulton Park a firm favourite with the drivers.
Two drivers aiming to score highly at Oulton Park are reigning champion Gordon Shedden and impressive newcomer Sam Tordoff. The former almost came to blows with Plato at Thruxton but a win in the last race there gives him momentum heading into this round. Tordoff has made a storming start to his maiden BTCC season and could win his first race at Oulton Park.
In addition to the top five, there are at least half a dozen potential race winners in the field. Returning 2009 champion Colin Turkington has already taken victory in the new eBay Motors BMW 1 Series, while also impressing in new machinery has been Tom Onslow-Cole in the Team HARD. VW Passat.
Frank Wrathall and Adam Morgan are on the leading pace in their Toyotas and will be joined by the Northwich-based Speedworks team’s Avensis’, with Dave Newsham and Ollie Jackson at the wheel.
The three BTCC races on the Sunday are supported by a busy programme of action from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta GT Supercup, Ginetta Juniors, Renault Clio Cup UK and Formula Ford.
Tickets are available from £26, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For further information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk.
