By the looks of things British Touring Car Championship is going to once again become the most exciting form of motorsport to watch. The lineup for the 2012 season comprises of 25 cars from 9 different makes including Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, MG, Proton, Toyota, Vauxhall and VW. And these are the ordinary showroom cars you see on the street. That’s the main reason it’s so exciting.
Another reason is the drivers lineup. The combination of veterans like Jason Plato, Mat Neal and Tim Harvey with young guns like Andy Neate will grantee adrenaline-filled action. 14 teams will contest this year’s BTCC, which begins at the world famous Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on the weekend of 31 March/1 April.
As you may know, this season all cars a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine. That will create a fair ground in which the car with better chassis and, of course, better driver will win. Some of the cars are based on current S2000-based cars equipped with turbo engines built to NGTC specification, but most are built to the championship’s full ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ (NGTC) regulations that are leading to a rapid return of bigger, more aggressive-looking machinery.
“Words such as ‘staggering’ or ‘phenomenal’ are often over-used, but both very genuinely apply to the BTCC’s current health,” commented BTCC Series Director Alan Gow. “Our trackside crowd and TV viewing audience figures continue to reach new heights – Brands Hatch has advised us that ticket sales for its opening round in a fortnight are its biggest ever for a BTCC event this far in advance.
“Now, here we are, ready to start another great season and with a larger grid than at the first round last year – despite the very challenging economic climate. Once again the BTCC boasts terrific depth of competition as well as a huge and exciting variety of different makes and models of car. And I have little doubt that, just as with seasons past, the number of cars will increase as new teams and drivers take on the challenge of competing in the UK’s biggest motor racing championship.
