Alan Gow: “The best depth in talent we’ve had this century”

British Touring Car Championship series director Alan Gow says he believes the 2018 field boasts the best strength in depth it has enjoyed since the turn of the century.

Speaking at the championship’s media day launch at Donington Park, Gow said the quality of teams and drivers on show pointed to another great season of racing, with a 32-car field set to take to the track at Brands Hatch next month.

A full grid for the championship’s 60th anniversary year was formally announced this morning.

“I’m excited about this year. We’ve got probably the best depth in talent we’ve had in our championship this century. I probably say that each year, but it’s true,” said Gow. “You only have to look at the entry list, the quality of the drivers and the teams. It’s astounding.

“We had a great year last year and we will have an even better one this year.”

The diamond jubilee celebrations will be marked with a ‘double diamond’ 60 mile race at Snetterton in July, something Gow predicts will be a spectacle for drivers and fans.

He said: “It’s something totally different for the drivers – no success ballast, double points and winner-takes-all for that race.

“It’s nearly double the length of our normal races so there will be a little bit of tyre strategy coming into play, too. It will be something really special.”

Pointing to the continued success and profile of the championship, he added: “I keep on being told we’re the third oldest championship in the world, with Formula One and NASCAR. It’s only when you get told these kind of details that you realise how important the championship is to everyone.”