The BTCC goes to Snetterton

There are less than two weeks to go before the UK’s biggest motor racing series – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – rolls into East Anglia for its latest rounds at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk (28-29 July).

This will be the only opportunity this year for people across the region to see the BTCC in action and the event is expected to draw tens of thousands as the championship’s profile continues to increase with live Sunday afternoon coverage on terrestrial television channel ITV1.

Britain’s Jason Plato took two wins from three races in his SEAT Leon at Donington Park yesterday (Sunday 15 July) to move 25 points clear of Vauxhall rival, Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi at the top of the championship standings. But with potentially a dozen or so drivers on the 24-car grid capable of winning, the title race is far from settled. Indeed, Snetterton’s rounds will be crucial in deciding who goes on to lift what is British motor sport’s most coveted trophy.

Snetterton is also one of the fastest tracks on the BTCC calendar, with top speeds on the long Revett Straight expected to nudge the 150mph mark.

Having achieved his career-best result of sixth yesterday in his Motorbase Performance team’s SEAT Toledo, Norwich’s Matt Allison will be eager to improve further on what will be his first race weekend as a BTCC driver in front of his home crowd.

Similarly, Norwich-based motoring organisation the RAC will be looking for plenty of home support for its team’s pair of cars, the BMW 320sis driven by Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole. The RAC is also the event’s big race day sponsor.

Another to watch for is Ipswich’s Rick Kerry, racing the first diesel-powered car seen in the BTCC – a unique BMW 120D – for his own Team AFM squad.