Late change at Brands Hatch

The final rounds of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship will not be held on the Grand Prix circuit as originally planned.
It was announced today that the final trio of races at the September Finale are to be run on the tighter, more demanding 1.2 mile ‘Indy’ circuit, the same layout that will start the Championship on March 30.

Before the change of circuit layout, 2008 was to be the first time in years that every one of the ten tracks visited was to be different!

“The decision not to use the GP circuit is disappointing, but due entirely to circumstances beyond the BTCC’s control,” BTCC series director Alan Gow said.

“However, it is fitting in many ways that we are on the Indy circuit for Finals Day in what is our golden anniversary year, particularly as it was on exactly the same circuit in 1958 that the BTCC’s first champion Jack Sears was crowned after tying on points with Tommy Sopwith.

“With such close competition at the front of the 2008 field, who knows – maybe history will repeat itself and we’ll end up with another tie…

“The Brands Hatch Indy circuit also produces some of the very best racing during any BTCC season and its amphitheatre setting enables many spectators to see the whole lap unfold in front of them, which can surely only add to the drama of what is already a very exciting event.”