Rockingham could hold the key to touring car title

Michael Caine, previously a front-runner in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, will make his BTCC debut in a third Ford Focus for the Airwaves Racing team that is fighting for the outright and Independent titles with its lead driver Mat Jackson.

Caine’s arrival means 27 drivers are expected to contest the three BTCC races at the Rockingham circuit near Corby this weekend. Not since 1994 has the entry for a BTCC event during the championship’s two-litre era that began in 1991 been as high and only once has it been bigger (for the British F1 Grand Prix’s support race in 1993).

Furthermore, with just nine out of 30 races to go this season – three at Rockingham, three at Brands Hatch, Kent (1-2 Oct) and three on ‘Finals Day’ at Silverstone, Northants (15-16 Oct) – 13 drivers can still mathematically become Champion.

Honda Racing pair Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal lead the way in their Civics but are separated by just one point. They are closely followed by Jackson and reigning Champion Jason Plato in his Silverline Chevrolet Cruze. Vauxhall Vectra rivals, 888 Racing with Collins Contractors’ James Nash and Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan are in the hunt as well. Rockingham is a home event for both Newport Pagnell’s Nash and Rugby’s Jordan and also preparation expert RML that runs Plato’s Chevrolet from its factory in nearby Wellingborough. Similarly for Jordan’s team-mate Jeff Smith, also from Wellingborough, and hard trying Bedford racer Chris James in his small ES Racing.com team’s Chevrolet.

At the front, though, all eyes are on Scotsman Shedden to see if, in these final three events, he can overcome Worcestershire team-mate and past double Champion Neal and lift the first BTCC crown of his career.

Fresh from attending the launch of Honda’s new Civic road car with Neal at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Shedden said: “Sure, we’re getting to the business end of the season but, for me, it’s business as usual – I need to keep scoring the big points. Settling for three safe results at Rockingham would be suicidal because the others would eat me up in no time.

“With the championship in mind some people’s tactics on and off the track might change. I know from last year, when I came close to the title, that this is the hardest championship to win and that if you want to win it you have to be hard enough to put up with all sorts of games.”

Packed programme, FREE for kids, great family entertainment

In addition to this Sunday’s three headline BTCC races, also in high-speed action will be the supporting Ginetta Junior, Ginetta GT Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup, Formula Renault and Renault Clio Cup championships.

Tickets for a trackside seat are still available at special advance rates for both days of Rockingham’s big BTCC weekend if booked before midday this Friday (16 Sept). For example, a ticket for Sunday’s main race day will cost £26 compared to £30 on the gate. Meanwhile Saturday’s action includes the BTCC’s all-important practice and qualifying sessions plus several more races for its supporting categories.

Admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE all weekend. All admission includes access to Rockingham’s huge grandstands that overlook the track, the central BTCC paddock and touring car driver autograph session – making the fixture a huge hit among family audiences. To book and for more details visit the www.rockingham.co.uk website or call the circuit on 01536 500500.

Rockingham is also celebrating its own tenth anniversary in style and has plenty of extra entertainment lined up for the public to enjoy during the two days including: parachute displays, family Monster Truck rides, a visit from kids cartoon character ‘Roary The Racing Car’, fairground rides, wall climbing and even an opportunity for 14 to 17-year-olds to drive a car for the first time.

For a full timetable plus all the latest BTCC news in the build-up to Rockingham’s event (17-18 Sept) visit the championship’s official website www.btcc.net