WITH just three meetings of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship remaining, the UK’s premier race series arrives at Rockingham over the Bank Holiday weekend (August 27/28), with the title race still wide open.
As has become tradition in recent years, the teams are heading to the Northamptonshire circuit knowing Rockingham will play a crucial part in the outcome of this season’s championship race and the title’s destination.
With just 12 races left and just 68 points separating the top 10 drivers, there are still plenty more points up for grabs. However after three top five finishes at Knockhill Circuit yesterday (Sunday, August 14), it is the less familiar name of Sam Tordoff leading the standings.
The 27-year-old Team JCT600 Racing with GardX driver arrives at Rockingham with a narrow nine point lead ahead of Honda Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal. Tordoff knows he will need three solid performances if he is going to have any chance of clinching his first title.
Neal will not make it easy for Tordoff, as the three time former champion still needs just one more championship crown to match Andy Rouse’s record of four BTCC titles. However the same could be said of any of the past title winners who litter the top 10 positions.
Tordoff’s fellow Team JCT600 Racing with GardX driver, Rob Collard, is sandwiched between Neal and his Honda Yuasa Racing teammate Gordon Shedden, in third. Just 40 points off the top spot, reigning champion Shedden will not want to relinquish his BTCC crown without a fight.
Mat Jackson completes the top five after collecting his fourth race win of the season with a victory in the third race at Knockhill and will be looking to continue his charge up the standings at a circuit he knows very well.
However with three more former champions in the top 10 standings, it would be foolish to rule out Subaru Team BMR double BTCC winners Colin Turkington and Jason Plato or 2013 title holder Andrew Jordon of Pirtek Racing/Motorbase Performance.
In addition to the three highly-charged BTCC showdowns, there will be qualifying and racing from the Renault UK Clio Cup, MSA Formula Championship, Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship and Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup.
Advance tickets can be booked online at www.rockingham.co.uk or via the hotline on 01536 500500 option 1, until midday on Friday, August 26. Weekend passes cost £38, Sunday race day tickets are £30 and Saturday entry price is just £12.50.
Rockingham prides itself on providing access to all motorsport fans, and those who are registered disabled can apply for a complimentary* admission ticket for their carer, while children aged 15 and under get in FREE.
Top of the range hospitality packages are also still available for just £130 per person plus VAT, which includes full catering throughout the day, complimentary bar, VIP parking and your entrance ticket. For more information email marketing@rockingham.co.uk.
As always at Rockingham all tickets include access to a grandstand seat offering panoramic views of the entire circuit, the pit garage roof and race paddock, which means there are no hidden costs. Gates open at 08:00 on both days.
*Written proof is required.
