23 Entries Confirmed for BTCC in 2010

On March 31, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship officially confirmed that 23 cars are lined up to compete in the 2010 season. Despite the current economic climate, this is more than was announced at the start of 2009, and this year’s contingent includes a number of new teams, drivers, models of cars and big name sponsors. In total, seven different manufacturers, with nine different models, are represented on the grid, namely: BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, SEAT, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

 Notably, Honda and, for the first time, Chevrolet have entered as official manufacturer teams with former champions Matt Neal and Jason Plato spearheading their campaigns, running under the Team Honda and Silverline Chevrolet banners respectively. Chevrolet’s entry also debuts its Cruze model into the BTCC. Joining Plato in the Chevrolet fold for what will be his debut season in the BTCC is the youngest driver on the grid, Alex MacDowall, who has only just turned 19. Also worthy of attention is the Ford Focus belonging to Team Aon. This vehicle parts with convention and is powered LPG. In addition, the VW Golf will appear in the BTCC for the first time since 1989, run by new team AmD Milltek Racing.com.

This year’s BTCC season will once again receive coverage across the ITV network. Wives and girlfriends beware – six hour-plus broadcasts from all ten race events on ITV4 will each be followed by four 90-minute highlights on ITV1, ITV4 and Men & Motors. Coverage is set to break the 120-hours mark – beating 2009’s record figures. Furthermore, the itv.com website will live-stream ITV4’s race-day coverage.

As announced previously, Dunlop returns as title sponsor of the BTCC for the next four years. Last year, in conjunction with the BTCC, Dunlop developed RFID technology in its tyres. This year it will introduce a new race tyre to the series, the Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC, which it says is more durable and also complies with latest EU environmental regulations. Dunlop’s sister company HiQ will also back the hotly-contested Teams’ Championship through to 2013.

“This is a fantastic start to our new season and a new decade for the BTCC,” commented BTCC series director Alan Gow. “Globally, motor sport has really felt the pinch of late following what has been a very cruel recession, yet the BTCC continues to buck that trend and set an example for many other high-profile series around the world, as shown by our 2010 entry list.

“I’m immensely proud of the huge efforts made by the teams, drivers and sponsors during the winter to ensure they are here, but the fact they continue to want to compete and succeed in the BTCC speaks volumes for this great championship’s ability to excite, inspire and reward at the very highest level in the UK. No doubt, as normal, even more teams and drivers will join the championship during the course of the season – which is further testament to the BTCC as being Britain’s biggest drawcard for teams, drivers and sponsors,” Gow continued. “Just to remind people of a few facts: our trackside crowds are often bigger than many Premiership football games; we are watched by many millions on TV, in both the UK and right around the world, thanks to our truly terrific broadcast partner ITV; we enjoy the tremendous support of a hugely passionate title sponsor in Dunlop; plus, the free admission for children and unrivalled interaction between the public and the stars all make the BTCC a unique sporting attraction.”

“The BTCC remains way ahead of all other motor racing series in Britain in terms of public profile, variety, action, competitive rivalry, unpredictability, popularity and levels of professionalism… and our entry list again underlines its stature. In fact, many other international series look at our championship with real envy. I look forward to what promises to be another phenomenal season in the BTCC’s illustrious history,” Gow concluded.