Record BTCC line-up awaits Dunlop in 2011

In 2011 Dunlop continues as title sponsor of the British Touring Car Championship and this year the tyre maker’s name is attached to a series being contested by more entries than ever; the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship has confirmed a record entry list ahead of its 2011 season with the highest number of different makes and vehicle models entered for the series in the two decades it has run as an all two-litre formula.

Ten makes of car – Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Proton, SEAT, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen – will feature on this year’s grid. In total, 13 different models will be gearing up for action, including the Audi A4, BMW 320si, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Lacetti, Ford Focus, ‘Global’ Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Integra, Proton Gen-2, SEAT Leon, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Vectra and VW Golf. This beats the previous two-litre era record of nine makes and 11 models set in 1993.

 In total, 27 entries have been received for the 2011 season, the first event of which takes place at the Brands Hatch circuit on Sunday 3 April. This year’s series covers ten race events at nine venues over a six-month period, culminating with Finals Day, this year being staged at British Formula 1 Grand Prix venue of Silverstone. These vehicles will use a total of around 5,000 Dunlop tyres during the season – every one of which produced at the company’s Tyre Fort site in Birmingham.

“I’m very, very proud about the way our 2011 season is taking shape. The fact our entry list includes ten different makes and 13 different models of cars – a record for the BTCC in the two-litre era – in what still remains a challenging financial period is, quite frankly, incredible,” commented BTCC series director Alan Gow. “Much of all this success is, of course, down to ITV’s and Dunlop’s continued support of and enthusiasm for the championship as well as the huge media exposure the championship receives elsewhere.”