BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan is looking to continue his recent form with another strong showing at Croft this weekend, and the 30-year-old has kicked things off in the best way possible.

Jordan won twice last time out at Thruxton to reignite his championship challenge, and now the BMW 3 Series driver has set the quickest time in Free Practice 1 at Croft.

Croft Circuit has undergone a much publicised resurfacing in recent months and the freshly laid 2.13-miles of Tarmac proved to be in sparkling condition as Britain's premier motor sport series took to the track for the first time. The highly anticipated increase in speeds came to fruition with all competing cars setting a time quicker than the current race lap record.

True to Croft form, however, the opening practice session was initially dominated by the BMWs of Jordan and Colin Turkington, as well as the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing car of Ash Sutton. With the circuit historically suiting rear-wheel drive machinary it was little surprise to see the trio leading the way, but the AmD-run Honda Civics of Sam Tordoff and Rory Butcher were also keen to join the party.

With a late flurry of changes at the top of the timesheets – including Jordan's pace-setting lap on his penultimate tour – both Sutton and Tordoff would set exactly the same lap time to end up second and third respectively.

Turkington settled for fourth ahead of his Team BMW team-mate Tom Oliphant – all three 3 Series' ominously inside the top five – whilst Butcher ended up sixth overall.

Matt Neal was best of the rest in the Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda, with his team-mate Dan Cammish also setting a top ten time. BTC Racing's Chris Smiley and Team Toyota GB with Ginsters' Tom Ingram were wedged between the manufacturer-backed Hondas when the chequered flag fell.

Free Practice 2 for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft takes place at 12:00 before qualifying commences at 15:05, the latter being streamed live and exclusively via www.itv.com/btcc.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Croft Circuit

1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing 1m22.039s
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.085s
3 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.085s
4 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.231s
5 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.283s
6 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.357s
7 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.476s
8 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +0.515s
9 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +0.591s
10 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.595s
11 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.609s
12 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +0.718s
13 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.748s
14 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.818s
15 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.859s
16 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.893s
17 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.943s
18 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.981s
19 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +1.009s
20 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +1.117s
21 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +1.132s
22 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +1.169s
23 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +1.241s
24 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.252s
25 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with Motorbase +11.387s
26 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.490s
27 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +1.901s
28 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +2.009s
29 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +2.289s
30 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport NO TIME

Power Maxed Coventry Motofest is a celebration of all things automotive; from vintage cars and bikes, to live displays by current race trucks and irreplaceable supercars.

For one weekend in June, the city quite literally comes alive, with the ring road closed to the public for MSA sanctioned competition runs, and demonstrations of some of the most famous cars of all time.

This year's iteration was the most popular to date, and smashed all records for a free-to-visit motoring event in the UK, with almost 230,000 visitors across the two-day event. Saturday saw around 140,000 people visit the festival, almost doubling last year’s number of 75,000.

This was down, in no small part, to BTCC-superstar Jason Plato taking to the streets in his current Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra. The record-breaking crowds flocked almost 10-deep to get a glimpse of the most successful British racing driver of all time (by wins), and were treated to a spectacular display of race launches and fast-paced laps of the ring road circuit.

The Power Maxed Zone saw a number of pieces of automotive exotica on display, including Plato’s race-used NGTC-spec Astra, and also gave fans the opportunity to meet the man himself, as he represented Sterling Insurance on their official launch weekend, letting fans know that their website (www.sterling-insurance.co.uk) is ready to go.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTCC/videos/698025820615480

Car cleaning aficionados were also able to get their hands on Worx Tools’ new Hydroshot, an innovative new cable free pressure cleaning system, and the perfect accompaniment to Power Maxed cleaning products, ahead of the announcement of their sponsorship of the team earlier this week.

A slightly damp Sunday saw Ricky Collard, son of Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing’s other driver, Rob Collard, take to the street circuit in the Astra, with almost 90,000 braving the torrential rain for a glimpse of the current BTCC car in action.

Adam Weaver, Managing Director of Automotive Brands parents of Power Maxed and Steel Seal Head Gasket Fix and Team Principal for Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing, said: “It’s incredible to be a part of something so special. I couldn’t be more pleased that so many others feel the same way, as demonstrated by their attendance.

"We expected it to beat last year but only by a little, so to go past it and then in turn exceed 200,000 is really quite staggering. In fact we were so surprised, we all had the numbers checked and checked again, just to make sure!

"It’s a fitting reward for James, Darren and all their wonderful team at MotoFest that put so much effort in, throughout the year. They make the event what it is, not for financial gain either, all for the love of vehicles and the city of Coventry.”

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry is a two-day festival dedicated to the city’s motoring heritage, taking place on the first weekend of June.

As the largest free urban motorsport festival in the UK, it brings live motorsport, including official championship rounds of various race series, classic and performance vehicles, and the cutting edge of automotive innovation right into the heart of the UK's Motor City, free for everyone to enjoy across the weekend. For more details and for next years dates (once confirmed) visit www.coventrymotofest.com.

Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire will host Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend, as the UK’s biggest motorsport series travels north.

Five different race winners and half of the ultra-talented 30-driver grid have already stood on the BTCC podium so far this season, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s line-up.

Colin Turkington and Rory Butcher share the standings lead heading towards the fourth race weekend of the season, whilst Andrew Jordan, Josh Cook and Tom Ingram have also tasted victory champagne. 

Croft is expected to welcome one of its biggest crowds in recent years while many many more will watch the exciting and unpredictable action unfold LIVE on ITV4.

The BTCC enjoys exclusive television bragging rights in 2019, as the only major motorsport series to be broadcast on a leading UK free-to-air television network. All ten race weekends are screened live on ITV4, the ITV Hub and streamed via itv.com/BTCC with six hours of programming at every race-day this season.

Croft: 15-16 June

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 15 June
ITV.com/BTCC from 1500

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 16 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1115-1800
ITV4+1 1215-1900
ITV Hub 1115–1800
ITV.com/BTCC 1215-1900

Highlights: Saturday 22 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1000-1130
ITV4 +1 1100-1230
ITV Hub Available anytime for the next 30 days

Highlights: Sunday 23 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0650-0820
ITV4 +1 0750-0920

Highlights: Wednesday 26 June
ITV & ITV HD 2340-0110

The UK’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – heads north to Croft for the fourth outing on its 2019 calendar this weekend (15/16 June), with a trio of Yorkshire stars all aiming to reach the top step of the rostrum on home soil.
 
The popular North Yorkshire circuit will play host to a grid of 30 top-tier tin-top protagonists, with the promise of plenty of wheel-to-wheel action to entertain the crowds at a track that has established itself as a firm favourite amongst drivers and spectators alike. What’s more, local fans will have three homegrown heroes to cheer on.Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish (Leeds) is the highest-placed of the Yorkshire racers following a superb showing at Thruxton last time out, where he recorded a brace of podium finishes to vault up to eighth in the overall standings arriving at Croft.

“I was over-the-moon to come away from Thruxton with two podiums and a sixth,” the 30-year-old acknowledged. “The Honda Civic Type R felt solid all weekend and has put me back in the title fight. Coming from the north-east, Croft is really classed as my home circuit and I've raced here many times. 

“During the break, I went on holiday and have come back well-rested and up for the fight. I’ll be all guns blazing now to keep my points tally increasing and close the gap on the championship lead.”
  
Bradford-born Sam Tordoff similarly carries momentum from a positive Thruxton weekend, which saw him finish on the rostrum for the first time this season. The 2016 championship runner-up looks toward his home event with renewed confidence, following a difficult start to his 2019 campaign. 

“It’s nice to be back in Yorkshire and have a short journey to and from the track,” the Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance ace reflected. “I’m excited to race here in the Honda Civic – that will be new for me. The track resurfacing will also make things interesting. From what I’ve heard, it is now two or three seconds quicker than before, so I’m excited to get out there and see what happens.

“We turned a corner at Thruxton, scored some points and I need to carry that momentum into Croft and have another good showing. Croft has a mixture of high-speed sections – particularly out the back and into Sunny In – with slow, technical parts at the beginning and end of the lap. It’s got a bit of everything, which poses quite a challenge for the engineers to find the ‘sweet spot’. It’s important that we go to this part of the country and there’s a huge motorsport following in Yorkshire – I can’t wait to go racing this weekend!”

Driffield’s Senna Proctor is likewise targeting strong results at his local circuit behind the wheel of his Subaru Levorg. The 20-year-old took the chequered flag third in race three at Croft in 2018, and is hoping to replicate that result this year. 

“This season has been really up-and-down so far,” he mused. “We have had some positive races but some bad ones as well. It's been a big learning curve for me switching to rear wheel-drive, but now I am looking forward to racing in front of the Yorkshire crowd at Croft. I really enjoy the circuit and the Subaru seems to go quite well around here, so it should be a match made in heaven.

“Croft is a great track and I can’t wait to race here again. I think it’s the only circuit where I didn’t have a podium in other categories, so to get third last year in the BTCC was really special.” 

The BTCC will be joined by a host of action-packed support series throughout the weekend, including the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Renault UK Clio Cup, F4 British Championship and Ginetta Juniors and GT4s. 

Tickets to the BTCC’s only north-eastern event of the year are still available to purchase on the gate, priced at just £15 for Saturday entry (BTCC Qualifying), £30 for Sunday (BTCC Race Day) or £39 for the full weekend. Accompanied children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge, with tickets for 13-to-15-year-olds beginning at £5. Further details can be seen at: www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc.

• Rare opportunity to join leading tin-top heroes for a lap of the track this weekend
• Exclusive experiences and signed merchandise up for grabs to the highest bidders
• All proceeds to be shared between Children with Cancer and Alzheimer’s Society

BMW is set to return to a happy hunting ground this weekend, as Croft Circuit awaits the latest instalment of the UK’s premier motorsport series.

All three drivers are previous race-winners in North Yorkshire – indeed, Colin Turkington has earned himself the ‘King of Croft’ moniker for his spectacular success there over the years, with no fewer than 12 victories since 2005.

Three years earlier, the Ulsterman had reached the BTCC rostrum for the first time at Croft, too, and he arrives this weekend as joint championship leader following a brace of victories from the opening nine races of the current campaign.

“There’s just something about Croft and its unique challenge that really excites me," said Turkington. "It’s easily my favourite circuit on the calendar and historically BMW has achieved great success there, so the pressure is on to keep that story going. 

The track has been completely resurfaced – coincidentally by one of my long-term partners, TARMAC – so I’m keen to get out there and understand the grip level.

"I’ll be qualifying with some weight in the car so will need to ensure I maximise everything from myself and the BMW – accurate engineering and bravery will be the difference between a good qualifying and a great one. 

"It feels like Thruxton was ages ago, but that time was important to understand the development of the new 3 Series, analyse my performance and identify areas where we can improve before we plan our next attack."
 
Team BMW stablemate Tom Oliphant won twice at Croft in the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup in 2015 and has already proved his podium-finishing credentials this season with a fine run to third place at Donington Park.

“I’ve been looking forward to Croft all year," added Oliphant. "It’s been a track that I’ve loved in the past and whilst it certainly wasn’t the easiest of weekends for me last year, I still managed to get something out of it points-wise.

"I’m excited to go back in a rear wheel-drive car. The 3 Series should, theoretically, be well-suited to the circuit, but we need to consider that they’ve resurfaced the track recently and, according to everyone that’s tested there, that has added a lot of grip and reduced tyre degradation because it’s now a lot smoother.

"That may mean the rear wheel-drives no longer have the advantage that they usually do, and the 3 Series is also obviously a brand new car this year. There are a lot of unknowns so the weekend might throw up a few surprises. My aim, though, is clear. I’m carrying no ballast and going there with the target of putting it on pole position – and from there, anything is possible."
 
BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan, meanwhile, is arguably the series’ form driver at present, having bounced back from a disastrous Donington with a commanding double victory at Thruxton last time out.

The 2013 champion has triumphed twice at Croft over the course of his BTCC career – and he has his sights firmly fixed on more silverware this weekend.

“You can’t get away from the fact that BMW has always gone well at Croft, so I think we should be up at the sharp end," said Jordan.

"We’re still learning with the new 3 Series and we won’t know how the resurfacing has affected things until we get there, but we’ve got some good momentum behind us now.

"It was important to hit back immediately at Thruxton, and to win race two there with maximum weight and Colin piling the pressure on throughout was psychologically very important.

"Even though the accident at Donington wasn’t my fault, it did knock my confidence slightly but Thruxton fully restored it and in a series as closely-fought as the BTCC, you really can’t overstate the significance of that.

"To have a 50 per cent strike rate from the six races I’ve actually finished is certainly a pretty good record. My approach now is to keep on winning, having dropped so many potential points at Donington, I can’t afford to play the percentage game and if I win races – eventually that will drag me properly back into contention.”

Team Toyota GB with Ginsters is North Yorkshire-bound this weekend for the next stop on the 2019 British Touring Car Championship calendar at Croft, where reigning Independent Drivers’ Champion Tom Ingram will bid to maintain his title challenge in the UK’s premier motorsport series.
 
Behind the wheel of the new Toyota Corolla, Ingram sped to a hat-trick of points-paying finishes last time out at Thruxton, preserving his commendable record of scoring in every race he has contested so far this season – an achievement matched by only one of his 29 high-calibre rivals.
 
The Bucks-born ace will head north-east occupying sixth spot in the overall Drivers’ standings, just 21 points shy of the summit, while Team Toyota GB with Ginsters sits seventh out of 19 protagonists in the Teams’ table.
 
Ingram will also be buoyed by an excellent showing at Croft this time last year. Not only was he the top-scoring front wheel-drive competitor – around a track traditionally regarded as a happy hunting ground for rear wheel-drive cars – but with a brace of podiums to his credit, he netted the second-highest points haul outright.
 
Indeed, in 15 previous BTCC starts at Croft, the 25-year-old has tallied three rostrums and 11 top ten finishes, leaving him with high hopes of replicating that stellar form this weekend. All of the race day action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4, starting at 11:00am on Sunday (16 June).
 
Christian Dick, Team Principal, Team Toyota GB with Ginsters, said: “Croft is very much an all-round challenge, which means you have to try to make your package work in every scenario and for all types of corner. That was something at which the Avensis always excelled, and although it is still very early days in its development, all the signs are that the Corolla is heading in the same direction.
 
“This weekend will actually represent a double step into the unknown for us, with not only a new car to dial into the circuit but also a resurfaced track to get to grips with. Hopefully we’ll have a clean run weather-wise on Saturday to get a proper handle on everything before race day.
 
“Whilst it’s true that Croft has historically tended to favour rear wheel-drive machinery, we’ve gone well there in recent years and last season in particular was a belter, with two podiums out of three. We’ve got to be aiming to be the best front wheel-drive car again, so with that in mind, the goal is to continue taking steps forward and refining the Corolla while scoring as many points as possible to keep our title bid on-track.”
 
“I love Croft," added Ingram. "As a circuit, it invariably generates exciting racing and there’s always a warm welcome when the BTCC rolls into town. I think we can confidently predict that it’s going to suit the rear wheel-drive lads, but we performed very well there last year, so we’re definitely looking forward to going back to see what we can achieve with the new Corolla.
 
“There’s been some pretty major resurfacing work at Croft in the meantime, so it will be interesting to discover how that affects everything and if it swings the pendulum any more towards the front wheel-drive cars. Nobody has driven on it yet so there is no real information to go on, but hopefully it will be a little grippier than before.
 
“Overall, we’ve had a very positive, solid start to the season and we’re understanding the Corolla more every time we take to the track. We’re moving in the right direction and going to Croft, I think we’re in good shape. I see no reason why the circuit shouldn’t suit us again, so hopefully we can push on and keep this points-scoring run intact.”

Don't take our word for it... listen from five of our high flyers as to why they're looking forward to this weekend and the visit to Croft for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The North Yorkshire circuit is popular among fans and drivers alike so we caught up with Colin Turkington, Sam Tordoff, Tom Oliphant, Rory Butcher and Tom Ingram to get their views on the weekend ahead... 

 
Colin Turkington

Sam Tordoff

Tom Oliphant

Rory Butcher

Tom Ingram

As we approach the next race weekend on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship calendar, we look back over the previous years’ exceptional racing produced at Croft Circuit.

Often regarded as the truest all-round test on the BTCC calendar, it is unsurprising that Croft has a special place in the hearts of many of the championships’ drivers and teams.

Sixteen-time race winner turned ITV4 commentator Tim Harvey reflects upon his experiences from the North Yorkshire Circuit:

“Croft always generates great action, with plenty of opportunities for overtaking and, dare I say it, incidents! It’s a difficult circuit to master; the first half of the lap is a high-speed challenge, before you get to the Complex, where you need to slow it all down. There’s a bit of everything, which is what the drivers really appreciate.”

Looking at previous years' records, and the unpredictability of the championship, it is difficult to predict just how the next three rounds will go. There are drivers with a strong history at the circuit, which could be argued puts them ahead of the rest. However, there's any number of others at the sharp end, aiming to bring the competition to these circuit favourites. With the resurfacing of the track, too, this weekend is sure to throw up some unpredictable results.

Jordan’s first win

It's approaching a decade since Andrew Jordan took his first ever win in the BTCC. Having joined the fold in 2008, Jordan’s then-best was second until Round 15 of the 2010 season saw him take to the top step at Croft.

Jordan led from the reverse grid pole and was unchallenged for the entire race, helped by contact between Tom Onslow-Cole and Tom Boardman which allowed Jordan to build up a huge lead by the end of lap one.

“I was in constant contact with my father on the pit-wall and he said I had a big six-second lead, so I just cruised it home listening for any vibrations,” the West Surrey Racing driver recalls.

Since the 2010 season, Jordan has only won at Croft on one further occasion, in 2014. However, following his pair of victories at Thruxton Circuit last time out, he’s in form heading into Rounds 10, 11 and 12. Alongside this, the rear-wheel drive BMW 330i M Sport will likely also have its advantages at the historically RWD-suited circuit.

Sutton takes to the top step

Ash Sutton's another driver who sprayed the winners' champagne for the first time in the BTCC at Croft, in 2016. Sutton spent the early part of the year showing flashes of pace - impressing out-of-the-blocks at the pre-season test, pipped into second at the last by legend Matt Neal - while acclimatising himself to Britain's top tier motorsport series. At Rounds 13, 14 and 15, he really came into his own.

He'd previous taken a race win at Croft back in 2015 during his time in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Sutton drew on this experience and used it to his advantage a year later at a circuit he's become fond of.

This first-place finish set the bar for Sutton in North Yorkshire, having achieved three more wins at Croft alone over the last two years, alongside two pole positions and two fastest laps.

Considering this is only Sutton’s third season in the championship, he has proven a real challenger for the incumbent ‘King of Croft’, Colin Turkington's moniker.

Sutton’s start to the 2019 season has been consistent, as he currently sits comfortably in fourth in the Drivers’ standings. In fact, he's never been so well placed at this stage of a BTCC campaign. He'll have his eyes on the top step of the podium this coming weekend, though, as the highest placed driver not to have won a race this season and around one of his favoured circuits.

This year once again sees Sutton driving the factory Subaru Levorg GT, the car he drove to three of his four wins at Croft - the other being the MG6 GT. The Subaru’s rear-wheel drive nature should hold some sway at the circuit and, alongside his previous success there, the next few rounds could prove to be very interesting for Sutton's title challenge.

The King of Croft

Colin Turkington's un-matched record at Croft has seen him dubbed the ‘King of Croft’, and looking at his results it is clear as to why. With a total of 12 race wins in North Yorkshire, Turkington has tallied more than twice as many as any other driver.

In both the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and 2013 and 2014 seasons, he was victorious in four out of the six races over each two-year period. Alongside this, he has amassed 20 podium appearances at Croft, at least one for every season he has competed, except for 2003. Additionally, he has taken nine fastest laps and holds the qualifying and race lap records, both of which he accomplished in 2014.

As standings leader and an undoubted Croft specialist, Turkington will be earmarked by many as the one to beat this weekend. That said, over the past five years, the Northern Irishman's four-win tally, as well as his pole position count, has been matched by Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Ash Sutton.

Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire will host Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship next weekend (15-16 June), as the UK’s biggest motorsport series travels north.

Five different race winners and half of the ultra-talented 30-driver grid have already stood on the BTCC podium so far this season, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s line-up.

Colin Turkington and Rory Butcher share the standings lead heading towards the fourth race weekend of the season, whilst Andrew Jordan, Josh Cook and Tom Ingram have also tasted victory champagne. 

Croft is expected to welcome one of its biggest crowds in recent years while many many more will watch the exciting and unpredictable action unfold LIVE on ITV4.

BMW vs Subaru?
The all-round challenge of Croft Circuit has historically suited rear-wheel drive machinery, resulting in BMW and Subaru sharing 11 victories from the last 15 races at the popular venue.

Colin Turkington (Team BMW) and Ash Sutton (Adrian Flux Subaru Racing) have taken four wins apiece there since 2014 and all eyes will be on the dynamic duo again next weekend.

If reigning champion Turkington is to further enhance his ‘King of Croft’ moniker then the Northern Irishman will need to add to his win tally in the all-new BMW 3 Series.

The car has been rapid straight out of the box with Andrew Jordan claiming victory during its debut race day at Brands Hatch, as well as adding a further two successes at Thruxton last time out. Turkington did the double at Donington Park and it’s clear that the Bavarian marque has a potent weapon at its disposal.

Sutton – yet to win a race this season – is actually the form man at Croft with all four of his victories at the circuit, including his very first in the BTCC, coming since he entered the series in 2016. It could be argued that Japanese manufacturer Subaru has taken BMW’s mantle at the North Yorkshire track in recent times so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top next weekend.

“I’m always excited about going to Croft, it’s my favourite circuit,” said BMW star Turkington. “It’s got a lot of happy memories and I think we’re in good shape heading to North Yorkshire.

“That said, we go there with the 3 Series for the first time, and the circuit has been resurfaced, so there will obviously be some learning to do, but I just want to try and keep the momentum going and keep enjoying driving the car.

“This team knows where they’re at and we know what’s made us fast at Croft in the past so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be strong.

“There’s always a lively enthusiastic crowd there and I definitely feed off that.”

Get a grip
One major change that has taken place at Croft Circuit since the BTCC’s last visit in 2018 is the resurfacing of the entire 2.13-mile track, which means the UK’s best drivers could be facing a different feel on-track next weekend.

In conjunction with the UK’s leading sustainable building materials group Tarmac, work began in early April - with the resurfacing ultimately finishing less than two weeks later.

Whilst the newly relaid surface is set to provide new levels of grip for competitors, the unique character and challenges that Croft has always presented remains the same, with the venue set to continue producing edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

“It has been a huge project but one that has proven to be very rewarding for everyone involved as the circuit now looks even more wonderful given that all of the work has been completed,” explained Tracey Morley, Croft Circuit Manager.

“A full resurface has been long overdue and conversations regarding the process had been ongoing for a number of months. One of the major points we worked on with Tarmac was to ensure that the circuit retained its character and the unique challenges it presented teams, drivers and riders.

“We’ve been successfully able to do that whilst also eliminating all of the past issues, ultimately enhancing the experience for everyone that visits the circuit and takes to the track.”

Local Lads
Dan Cammish (Halfords Yuasa Racing), Sam Tordoff (Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance) and Senna Proctor (Adrian Flux Subaru Racing) will be bidding for glory at their home circuit next weekend.

The BTCC’s Yorkshire boys have experienced mixed openings to their respective 2019 campaigns but all three have race-winning machinery beneath them.

Proctor has had a steady start to life at Subaru as he continues to acclimatise to a new car, whilst Cammish and Tordoff seem to be edging closer to the top step of the rostrum.

Honda man Cammish claimed a double podium at Thruxton in May, whereas Tordoff took pole position and a second place finish in his previous-generation Honda Civic Type R (FK2), so both will have victory in their sights next weekend.

“It’s nice to be back in Yorkshire and have a short journey home, to and from the track,” enthused Tordoff.

“I’m looking forward to going there. I understand that they’ve resurfaced the track, which is going to make it interesting, and from what I’ve heard on the grapevine the track could be two or three seconds quicker!

“We’ve turned a corner [at Thruxton], scored some points and I need to carry that momentum into Croft. It’s important that we go to that part of the world and there’s a huge following of motorsport in Yorkshire.

“I think it’s a good time of year, and it sets us up nicely for the summer break. We need to be going into that summer break having been to Croft and Oulton Park with a good haul of points and hopefully a podium or two.”

Timetable and Tickets
It’s not only the show-stopping BTCC that will thrill the crowds at Croft, as a fast-and-furious feast of support series add to the appeal. The Formula 1 superstars of the future will go wheel-to-wheel in the F4 British Championship, with the next generation of touring car heroes earning their spurs in the Renault UK Clio Cup.

Croft additionally shares its race date with the 87th edition of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, and you may just spot a future winner of the round-the-clock classic in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior Championship or Ginetta GT4 SuperCup.

Tickets to the BTCC’s only north-eastern event of the year can be purchased in advance until Monday, 10 June, priced at just £12 for Saturday entry (BTCC Qualifying), £24 for Sunday (BTCC Race Day) or £35 for the full weekend. Accompanied children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge, with tickets for 13-to-15-year-olds beginning at £3. Further details can be found at: www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc.