Jordan jumps to the top of the timesheets

MG Triple Eight Racing driver Andrew Jordan topped the times in a feisty free practice session at Rockingham as the 30-strong field tried to make up for lost time.

With the opening session dampened by drizzle it was left for the final 40-minutes of practice running for drivers to find the right set-up ahead of qualifying.

Pace-setter from FP1 Tom Ingram led the way for much of the running once again, but as the times tumbled towards the end of the session it was Jordan's MG that grabbed top spot by just 0.009s from the Toyota driver.

Triple Eight was looking strong right from the green flag, and Jack Goff was also in contention in the sister car. A late flyer from the Snetterton race winner promoted him to fourth place overall.

Jason Plato fired a warning shot to his championship rivals in the Team BMR RCIB Insurance VW. Sitting second behind Ingram for much of the session, as the chequered flag came out he was just 0.062s off the ultimate pace. With Plato carrying maximum success ballast into qualifying this afternoon, his main points rivals Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal will be fighting hard to capitalise. The Honda Yuasa Racing squad rarely shows its hand in practice, and while Shedden ended up sixth and Neal 16th, both are likely to be in the mix when the stopwatch comes out.

It was a strong session for Power Maxed Racing rookie Josh Cook. Along with team-mate Dave Newsham the pair of Chevrolets were fast throughout, running in formation to extract their best lap times. By the end of the 40 minutes Cook was fifth and Newsham a solid eighth.

Nick Foster, who is deputising for Andy Priaulx this weekend, ended the session as top BMW driver in the IHG Rewards Club car. He was just outside the top ten, and commented, "It's good to be the quickest BMW driver, although I did use new tyres for the run. It was important to remind myself of the ultimate grip levels ahead of qualifying."

The crucial qualifying session is coming up at 15:40 – watch live on the itv.com/btcc website if you are in the UK, or follow all the action on the btcc.net live zone.

1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) MG 888 Racing
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport
3 Jason PLATO (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
4 Jack GOFF (GBR) MG 888 Racing
5 Josh COOK (R) (GBR) Power Maxed Racing
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Honda Yuasa Racing
7 Aron SMITH (IRL) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
8 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing
9 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
10 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance
11 Nick FOSTER (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club
12 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Exocet AlcoSense
13 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing
14 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) JCT600 Racing with GardX
15 Robert COLLARD (GBR) JCT600 Racing with GardX
16 Matt NEAL (GBR) Honda Yuasa Racing
17 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
18 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Exocet AlcoSense
19 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing
20 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing
21 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing
22 Mike BUSHELL (R) (GBR) AmD Tuning.com
23 Derek PALMER (R) (GBR) Support Our Paras Racing
24 James COLE (GBR) Motorbase Performance
25 Robb HOLLAND (USA) Handy Motorsport
26 Kieran GALLAGHER (R) (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing
27 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com
28 Stewart LINES (R) (GBR) Houseman Racing
29 Alex MARTIN (R) (GBR) Dextra Racing
30 Daniel WELCH (GBR) Welch Motorsport

Click here for the full classification from FP2

Where to watch #BTCC Rockingham

Keep up to date with all the action from rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship from Rockingham:

Saturday 5 September
Qualifying: 15:40 – 16:10
Live online on itv.com/btcc
Live circuit commentary and timing on btcc.net/live-zone

Sunday 6 September – watch the entire day’s racing from 10:45-17:45 on ITV4 HD
Race 1: 11:35 – 16 Laps
Live on ITV4 HD
Live circuit commentary and timing on btcc.net/live-zone

Race 2: 13:50 – 16 Laps
Live on ITV4 HD
Live circuit commentary and timing on btcc.net/live-zone

Race 3: 16:40 – 16 Laps
Live on ITV4 HD
Live circuit commentary and timing on btcc.net/live-zone

There will be updates throughout the weekend on the BTCC Facebook and Twitter pages too!

Ingram out in front

Tom Ingram topped an unusual order in the opening free practice session at Rockingham after early morning rain dampened proceedings.

Ingram’s Toyota starred throughout the session as he traded early blows for top spot with Mike Bushell’s AmD Ford Focus, before the Speedworks speedster pulled clear late on to set a 1:24.135s benchmark.

The session commenced in damp conditions with the majority of this year's championship challengers choosing to wait in the wings.

“We don’t expect there to be too much rain over the weekend, so there’s little to learn in these conditions,” said Jason Plato. “Plus there’s the risk of damaging the car of course.”

The circuit dried dramatically in the opening 20 minutes of the session, however, as times tumbled in the second half of running. Despite weather reports suggesting otherwise the rain returned in the closing stages, but some drivers were still able to improve their pace.

A late flurry of laps from Ingram’s Toyota saw the young talent edge to within a second of the lap record, and he was eventually followed in the timesheets by the Power Maxed Racing duo of Dave Newsham and Josh Cook.

Adam Morgan and Aron Smith saved their best laps until last to sneak into fourth and fifth, ahead of Colin Turkington’s Team BMR RCIB Insurance machine.

Returning racer Hunter Abbott – who missed Knockhill to be at the birth of his first child – was sandwiched in eighth between the two JCT600 with GardX BMWs of Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff, whilst Bushell eventually had to settle for tenth.

Plato, Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan were among those who chose not to set a time. Both Honda Yuasa Racing cars did set times, although Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal’s efforts can only be regarded as early sighters as this stage of the weekend.

With dryer conditions expected as the day progresses all 30 BTCC cars will have to use Free Practice 2 to hone their cars ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session. FP2 commences at 12:40 while qualifying can be seen live at www.itv.com/btcc from 15:40.

Free Practice 1 - Rockingham - Final Classification:

1 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport
2 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing
3 Josh COOK (R) (GBR) Power Maxed Racing
4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing
5 Aron SMITH (IRL) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
7 Robert COLLARD (GBR) JCT600 Racing with GardX
8 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Exocet AlcoSense
9 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) JCT600 Racing with GardX
10 Mike BUSHELL (R) (GBR) AmD Tuning.com
11 Jack GOFF (GBR) MG 888 Racing
12 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing
13 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance
14 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing
15 Nick FOSTER (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club
16 Robb HOLLAND (USA) Handy Motorsport
17 Kieran GALLAGHER (R) (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing
18 James COLE (GBR) Motorbase Performance
19 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing
20 Daniel WELCH (GBR) Welch Motorsport
21 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com
22 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Honda Yuasa Racing
23 Alex MARTIN (R) (GBR) Dextra Racing
24 Matt NEAL (GBR) Honda Yuasa Racing
25 Stewart LINES (R) (GBR) Houseman Racing
26 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Exocet AlcoSense
27 Derek PALMER (R) (GBR) Support Our Paras Racing
28 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance
29 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) MG 888 Racing
30 Jason PLATO (GBR) Team BMR RCIB Insurance

Click here to view the full classification

BACK TO 'VICTORY VENUE' ROCKINGHAM FOR ROB AUSTIN RACING

Rob Austin Racing this weekend (Sat 5/Sun 6 Sept) returns to Northamptonshire’s Rockingham circuit – scene of its two wins so far in the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship – although Team Principal Rob Austin is refusing to get carried away by his chances this time around. The event meanwhile marks the return to action of Rob’s team-mate Hunter Abbott for the first time since becoming a dad.The Rockingham circuit and the RAR Exocet AlcoSense Audi A4s have always gelled – even in the team’s debut season (2011) Rob only just missed out on a maiden win at British motor sport’s highest level.

In 2013, however, it all came good with that first breakthrough win and that success was repeated 12 months ago when Rob led from start to finish to achieve a second career BTCC race victory at ‘The Rock’.

He will go into the weekend off the back of his most competitive showing of the season so far following seventh, sixth and fifth-place finishes in Knockhill’s three races a fortnight ago.

But Rob said: “People have this thing that Rockingham is our strongest circuit – in fact it’s actually Knockhill which is best suited to our car and actually I feel we were unfortunate not to have had a couple of podiums there, maybe even a win.

“Yet for some reason Rockingham is where things have come together for us on race day. Yes, we’ve always had good pace there – the rear-wheel-drive Audi does work well on its lay-out and we’re able to nurse our tyres better on the abrasive track surface. But that’s no guarantee of success, particularly in 2015 when the level of competition has increased yet again. I’m sure we can be towards the sharp end but it will be harder work this time around.”

Hunter meanwhile missed Knockhill’s races to be with wife Susie during the birth of their first child. At Rockingham last year he had the most memorable BTCC race of his career so far as he came through from 31st and last on the grid – following problems in qualifying – to finish 14th.

He said: “I remember that race very well – passing 17 cars in one race is not something you easily forget. It was a shame the TV cameras missed it! In fact we had been looking good in all three races until I got wiped out of race three when I was well into the top 10 – it’d be great if we can have similar form again this time around, particularly if we can qualify a lot stronger and then see what we can do from there.

“It’s fair to say that life has been pretty different suddenly for me since Knockhill with the arrival of our son. Susie has been utterly fantastic and life has never been so good for us. I’d like to see one of my pit crew change a nappie faster than me! So now it’s back to business in the BTCC and I’m raring to go again.”

Mat’s back

Mat Jackson, one of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s top talents, has returned to the track for the second half of the year and made quite an impression at Knockhill last time out.

The Motorbase Performance squad showed flashes of pace in its first appearance at Snetterton in early August, and the 34-year-old made steady progress on race day culminating in a top six finish in the final encounter. It was a sign of things to come, as the mountune-powered machine was immediately at the sharp end when the paddock moved to Scotland.

Third in FP1 and fourth in FP2, the #4 car was well set for qualifying, and with no success ballast on board Jackson looked to be on course for pole position until in the final moments he was demoted to third.

Making a great start from the second row, the white Ford Focus blasted into the lead on the very first lap with a bold move up the inside into the final hairpin. With Jackson having built up a 2.7s lead a safety car deployment closed the field right up again, and despite an outstanding defensive drive he eventually had to relinquish the position – crossing the line in P2 to claim his first podium of the season.

Having set the fastest lap during the opening race, it was pole position for Mat in race two. However, with 66kg of ballast on-board, the #4 Focus came under immediate pressure from the charging Honda Yuasa Racing Civic Type R of Gordon Shedden. Jackson managed to hold off the lighter Honda for five closely fought laps before eventually dropping back into second place. A late move from Collard put the Motorbase car into third, but it was still a well-earned second podium of the day.

A top ten finish in the final race made the Henley-based racer overall top scorer for the weekend and double independent winner. It’s enough to put Jackson 15^th in the standings, and with nine more races to go, expect him to be right up there at Rockingham, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

After the final chequered flag had fallen, Mat commented: “To come away from this weekend with two podiums is fantastic and a great result for the team. It was frustrating to have lost out on pole in qualifying but I think we’ve shown that we can mix it at the front now and that we’re on the pace.

“It’s been such a big learning curve for us and after being out of it for six months we’re really pleased. We need to sit down and look at the data ahead of Rockingham and see where we can improve. We’ve made a big step forward this weekend from Snetterton and hopefully we can do it again.”

Moffat’s breakthrough moment

Laser Tools Racing’s young pretender Aiden Moffat had perhaps the biggest rollercoaster ride of any driver at Knockhill. The 18-year-old has already grabbed headlines in his short career becoming the youngest ever driver in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship two years ago at the Fife venue, and he was to be the centre of attention again this time around.

Now driving a Ciceley Motorsport-prepared Mercedes A-Class, the Dalkeith racer has already had some standout performances in 2015, finishing as top independent driver in the final race at Donington Park back in April. “Donington was all about working our way forward,” said an elated Aiden after the news of his podium reached him at Knockhill. “It was quite different from today which was all about defending!”

Things didn’t start off well for the young Scot, as race one saw contact with the MG of Jack Goff send him spinning over the grass. This was, however, to be a step back that would ultimately bring him two steps forward, as a strong drive in the second contest brought him into the top ten over the line and the reversed draw put the local lad on the front row for the final showdown.

A solid start enabled the Laser Tools Racing Mercedes to hold station in second place, but it wasn’t long before the Honda Yuasa Racing Civic Type R of Matt Neal was piling on the pressure. A small mistake from Moffat allowed the triple BTCC champion through, “Making mistakes is how you learn, but hopefully we’ll keep it on the black stuff in future and not give anyone an easy opportunity to pass,” Aiden reflected. “It was daunting enough to have Matt Neal and Jason Plato behind at the start, then when I saw Andy Priaulx in my mirrors who’s a three time world champion it didn’t get any easier!”

Moffat’s battle with Priaulx was to become the talking point of the race, as the BMW driver looked to have the quicker package but the #16 car was defending valiantly. Eventually Priaulx made a move, but after the race it was deemed to have been under yellow flag conditions, handing the trophy to the hometown hero Moffat. “It’s a big thing for us, to score a podium anywhere would have been fantastic but to do it here with so much support is even better. We technically managed to hold on to the position, and especially after Snetterton where we had a big crash and had to sit out the racing, we couldn’t have hoped for a better result.”

Watch Moffat’s reaction directly after the race below, before the positions were reversed, and look out for another interview in BTCC Extra coming soon:

Swindon Engines to supply new TOCA engine until 2021

BTCC organiser awards new contract to existing supplier

Series organiser TOCA has awarded the five-year contract for the supply of a new NGTC-spec ‘TOCA’ engine to Swindon Engines.

The requirement to make available to teams a cost competitive engine with proven durability has been fulfilled by Swindon Engines since the introduction of the NGTC regulations back in 2011. With that term concluding next year, this new contract and engine will take the partnership between the two organisations through to 2021.

This latest tender was scheduled as part of a ‘mid-term’ NGTC evaluation, as per the Technical Partnership recently awarded to RML to provide specified chassis, suspension and associated components to BTCC teams.

Nine engine manufacturers entered the first phase of the tender process, from which a four-strong shortlist was selected to present to a Review Panel comprising of TOCA and some nine BTCC teams – which included teams using TOCA engines and all other major engines run in the Championship.

The Review Panel voted by a clear majority to award the new contract to Swindon Engines until the end of the 2021 MSA British Touring Car Championship season. The new-specification engine will continue through a final development programme, rigorous testing and manufacture prior to its introduction in 2017.

As with the current agreement, engines will be available for both lease and purchase, with Swindon Engines providing comprehensive engineer and technical support at all BTCC race meetings and TOCA test days, at which they will also make spare engines available.

Swindon Engines was established in 1971 as a high performance engine specialist. Having originally carried out essential maintenance of Formula 1 engines in the 1970s and 80s, it went on to produce many successful projects in rallying and touring car racing. Today, Swindon Engines supplies high performance engines as well as cutting edge development projects and components to the automotive world and the motor racing industry.

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: "I would like to congratulate Swindon Engines on the award of this new contract to supply the new ‘TOCA’ engine until 2021.

"As we witnessed with the recent chassis, suspension and associated components tender, awarding this contract was certainly not merely a foregone conclusion for an existing supplier. Swindon Engines’ tender and presentation was of the highest calibre and they were clearly voted for by a BTCC review panel, which included personnel from teams that use the ‘TOCA’ engine and others that use their own power units.

"Of course Swindon Engines has the proven record of supplying engines on a wide scale in the BTCC, having successfully supplied the ‘TOCA’ engine to the Championship since the outset of the NGTC regulations – but equally I have no doubt that all other bidders could have successfully done the same, such was the extremely high quality of the tenders.

"Over the last five years TOCA, Swindon Engines and the BTCC teams have worked closely together on developing what was already a very impressive product, and we look forward to continuing with this philosophy into the next decade.”

Raphaël Caillé, Swindon Engines Managing Director, said: "We are extremely proud to be able to continue our long-standing partnership with the BTCC, the UK’s highest profile motor sport series.

"Swindon Engines has enjoyed a successful relationship with the series since the introduction of the NGTC regulations, and we have seen the BTCC flourish both on-track and off-track during this time.

"We have continued to develop our one-fits-all product over the last five years and provide a high performing, reliable and consistent unit, which benefits teams throughout the grid. Our engine remains cost efficient whilst not compromising on performance, as proven so often by the numerous race winners in the BTCC.

"We will continue to provide the teams with the highest level of service, reliability and engineering and we look forward to this next phase in our partnership with the BTCC.”

Nick Foster to drive for Team IHG® Rewards Club at Rockingham

Experienced driver returns to West Surrey Racing for one-off 2015 BTCC outing

Former BTCC podium finisher Nick Foster makes a one-off return to the series next weekend after it was confirmed he would drive the Team IHG® Rewards Club BMW at Rockingham (5/6 September).

Regular racer Andy Priaulx misses the event due to scheduled GT commitments with BMW and after careful consideration of some 16 interested drivers, both IHG®Rewards Club and West Surrey Racing opted for Foster’s return.

The experienced driver spent four seasons with WSR in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – scoring one podium – and raced for the squad from the outset of its NGTC-spec BMW 1-Series project in 2013.

Foster enjoyed a competitive two years behind the wheel of the all-conquering BMW 125i M Sport and helped the outfit secure Teams' and Independent Teams' titles in 2014.

The Hampshire driver is testing the car at Donington Park today (1 September) where he’ll reacclimatise himself with the striking Bavarian machine, before going on to race the #8 Team IHG® Rewards Club car at Rockingham.

Having scored a hat-trick of points finishes at the Northamptonshire circuit in the same car just two years ago, Foster will be hoping for more of the same this time around.

Nick Foster said: "I can't wait to work with our championship winning team again and look forward to seeing many familiar faces and old friends in the BTCC paddock. It will be serious business over the weekend, however, as I hope to help the team in their battle for constructors’ and teams’ honours.

“The BMW 1-Series is a car I know very well, WSR is a team I've worked with for many years and I also really enjoy racing at Rockingham, so I am delighted to be given this opportunity. I'd like to thank Dick Bennetts, IHG® Reward Club and of course Contour Electronics for putting their faith in me and I can't wait for the weekend to get underway."

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: "It's great to welcome Nick back to the BTCC and he'll always be a part of the WSR family. People wouldn't believe the number and calibre of names that wanted to drive for us next weekend, which made for a really tough decision.

"We had to consider what was best for our team, IHG® Rewards Club and the rest of our partners, and came to the conclusion that we needed someone who could get to grips with the car as quickly as possible. We would like to thank everyone for their interest but Nick is quick, hugely experienced and knows how to get the job done in the BTCC. We need a driver who we can trust and hopefully score some solid points at Rockingham - we're confident Nick is that man."

BTCC ‘Rock’ stars ready to race

Northamptonshire next up for Britain’s top series

Just nine races remain in the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, and a crucial outing at Rockingham is in prospect as nearly 30 drivers will go all out for glory next weekend (5/6 September).

Rockingham is a unique stop on the schedule – as the most recently built racing facility in the UK it provides unparalleled panoramic views of the entire circuit from the goliath grandstands and is also a fantastic challenge for the drivers and teams.

Blending a flat out blast around the outer oval with a tricky technical infield, Rockingham is a circuit that doesn’t favour any particular car, making the three BTCC encounters even more tantalising and unpredictable.

Reigning champion Colin Turkington doubled up in 2014 at the Corby speedbowl, with fan favourite Rob Austin grabbing glory in the final race. Turkington didn’t take another victory after Rockingham, making it an undoubtedly pivotal point in the title race, and it’s sure to throw up more surprises before the 2015 champ is crowned.

The circuit is just 30 minutes from Leicester, Peterborough and Northampton, and fans are set to pour in to see the ‘Rock’ stars perform their amazing on-track show.

Story so far: Plato hangs onto top spot
Following an intense weekend of action north of the border at Knockhill, the title race is hotting up with Team BMR RCIB Insurance’s Jason Plato just holding onto top spot.

It was, by the double champion’s high standards, a relatively quiet weekend as he qualified in his lowest ever championship position and scored just one top ten on Sunday. Despite this he only lost a handful of points to his main rivals, leaving him in the driving seat as the series heads to Rockingham.

Gordon Shedden had a successful home weekend taking another victory to haul himself into second in the standings, with fellow Honda man Matt Neal who lies third also securing a win.

It was a tough time for Colin Turkington in Scotland as he slipped down to fourth, while the ultra-consistent Andrew Jordan is fifth despite not having summited the podium so far in 2015.

Talking point: Anybody’s guess
Rockingham’s 2.43 miles of asphalt always lead teams in the BTCC to a compromise. The two cars currently at the head of the pack are the Team BMR RCIB Insurance VW CCs and Honda Yuasa Racing’s Civic Type Rs, but the fact that such different designs can compete so closely is testament to the regulations in place in the championship. With Rockingham presenting such a mixed bag of tight corners, long radius corners and flat out straights, no-one is sure who will come out on top.

“We’re looking forward to Rockingham,” said Honda’s Matt Neal. “The VWs will be strong and the BMWs go well there too so we’ll all be in the mix.”

Championship leader Jason Plato adds, “It’s game on at Rockingham, we tested there recently and we’ve got a good set-up for both qualifying and race. Compared to Knockhill there are more longer corners where our car comes into its own.”

Of course there are plenty more BTCC machines in the mix and the likes of MG Triple Eight Racing, West Surrey Racing’s BMW 125i M Sports and the Mercedes A-class cars of Adam Morgan and Aiden Moffat which locked out the front row of race three at Knockhill are sure to be right up there. Rob Austin will be gunning for glory in his Audi A4 – something of a Rockingham specialist, Rob has won there in the past two seasons.

The wildcard effect of Motorbase Performance will be another aspect to watch out for, as Mat Jackson was flying last time out in his Ford Focus. He powered to two podiums in the Scottish hills and with no success ballast on his car will be chasing a first victory as the paddock forms up at Rockingham. “We’re here to win, it’s as simple as that,” said Jackson. “We don’t have a championship to worry about, so it’s maximum attack until the chequered flag!”

Local heroes: Familiar at the front
Now a consistent front-runner, Adam Morgan has become a familiar face on the BTCC podium. His WIX Racing squad has its head office just up the road from the incredible Rockingham facility. Adam has already taken a win this year at Thruxton, plus four other podiums. The Lancastrian was moments from a second success of 2015 in the final encounter at Knockhill, but collected debris on the penultimate tour that ultimately demoted him to second place.

With a fifth and two DNFs at Rockingham last year, Adam will be hoping for a big points haul to propel him towards the top six in the drivers’ standings.

Timetable and Tickets
Three BTCC races will take place on Sunday, with the entire race day being broadcast live and in high definition on ITV4.

In addition to the headlining BTCC battles, there will be a huge number of races on the support bill. For fans coming to the track on Saturday, there will be four races in addition to BTCC practice and qualifying, with single-seater action from the MSA Formula Championship, tin-top thrills from the Renault UK Clio Cup, a blast from the past from the HSCC Super Touring Car Championship and the next generation of stars cutting their teeth in the KICK Start Energy Ginetta Junior Championship. The Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup will also be on track for qualifying ahead of two races on Sunday.

No fewer than ten showdowns will play out in front of the huge grandstands on Sunday for what is undoubtedly one of the best value days of family entertainment anywhere in the country.

Tickets for this event cost just £30 for Sunday and £12.50 for Saturday, or £37.50 for the weekend when booked in advance on the www.rockingham.co.uk website. Tickets can also be purchased on the gate.

Camping is available with pitches priced £8 per adult for one night or £15 for two, only available if booked in advance. Children aged 15 and under stay and enjoy all the racing action for free.

All tickets include access to a grandstand seat, pit garage roof and the touring car paddock.

RML Group awarded new BTCC contract

Leading motorsport engineering company enters six-year contract with Britain’s premier motor racing series

Series organiser TOCA has awarded a vital Technical Partner contract to the RML Group for the supply of the specified chassis, suspension and associated components for the MSA British Touring Car Championship. The Wellingborough-based RML Group are widely regarded as one of the world’s leading touring car design and engineering companies.

After a lengthy tender process which began earlier this year, the ‘BTCC Design Group’ – comprising many of the Championship’s leading designers and engineers – selected RML for the six-year term commencing in 2016. With NGTC regulations first being introduced back in 2011 for a ten-year period, this new contract comes following the scheduled ‘mid-term’ evaluation.

As the successful applicant to provide NGTC chassis design, engineering and component supply services, RML will undertake comprehensive evaluation and design-work. Initially this will involve concentrating on some technical updates which will be available to all teams for the 2016 season onwards – the vast majority of which will be compatible and interchangeable with current components. A team can then choose to use some or all (or none) of the updates, purely depending on their own requirements and budgets.

RML will work alongside both the BTCC Design Group and the Technical Working Group (BTCC TWG) – comprising existing teams and TOCA technical staff – to oversee and approve any revised designs.

A number of redesigns of mandatory components have been requested by the BTCC TWG and are already well underway. Further updates that primarily improve durability and ease of use by the teams, but importantly without directly changing the current concept or performance/price, will also be assessed.

As an integral part of the contract, RML will supply full spares and technical support at all BTCC events and official test days as well as providing complete customer support at all times.

RML has already invested very considerable time and resources into this programme, with supply commencing in November for teams wishing to either build new cars or update their existing ones.

RML plan to test an updated car with the 2016 components during the next few months.

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: "We welcome RML back into the BTCC family. In fact we actually go back a long way together, as the 1993 BTCC was their first touring car project.

"Our NGTC regulations have been incredibly successful for the BTCC – no doubt they are one of the most important milestones in its proud 58 year history – but success is never achieved by merely standing still, which is why this ‘mid-term’ review was always scheduled into our ten year NGTC programme.

"Actually, it’s great testament to the concept of the regulations that they remain largely the same after 5 years, without requiring any more than some fine-tuning to take them through the next five. Very, very few top-level championships have technical regulations that are as fundamentally sound and enduring as ours have proven to be.

"So as we enter the next phase of the NGTC regulations and indeed the BTCC itself, I would like to thank current supplier GPRM for their tireless work and commitment - but at the same time look forward to this new partnership with RML as the BTCC continues to go from strength to strength."

Simon Holloway, RML Group Commercial Director, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by TOCA to provide NGTC chassis design, engineering and supply services for the next six years. The MSA British Touring Car Championship is quite simply the biggest and best series in the UK so it's an honour for the RML Group to play a leading role in its engineering and design operations.

"As well as its undoubted levels of skill and professionalism both on and off-track, the BTCC also enjoys unrivalled commercial opportunities and welcomes huge audiences both trackside and on television. Being involved is advantageous on so many levels. We're looking forward to working with TOCA and the BTCC teams greatly, and forging a successful, strong and lengthy partnership together."