BTCC gallery
As the teams line up for the new BTCC season, we run the rule over all the contenders in our comprehensive championship preview...
What a way to celebrate your birthday! The UK’s premier tin-top series kicks off its 50th anniversary season this weekend with a bumper grid.
A total of 26 drivers will line up at Brands Hatch on Sunday – and more of them than ever will be capable of lifting the HiQ British Touring Car Championship crown. So Fabrizio Giovanardi faces a tough time defending his title. The Italian is joined at Vauxhall by two-time champ Matt Neal, who is keen to add to his trophy cabinet.
Giovanardi will lock horns again with Jason Plato. The 2001 winner will drive SEAT’s rapid new diesel Leon this season. And team-mate Darren Turner will also be challenging for victories.
There’s a strong BMW contingent, in the shape of reigning inde­pendent champion Team RAC and the Motor­base outfit. But the 320si to watch will be driven by Dealer Team UK’s Mat Jackson, who set the pace in pre-season testing.
All through the field, there will be close battles as new drivers and teams meet established competitors. Our comprehensive guide to the most exciting series in UK motorsport reveals all...
1. Seat
Drivers: Jason Plato, Darren Turner, Car: SEAT Leon TDI S2000
Expect the brand to challenge Vauxhall for race victories and the title. Using the same diesel as the WTCC cars should give the Leon a straight-line performance advantage, while 2001 champ Plato will want to improve on his 2007 runner-up spot. In his second season, Le Mans winner Turner should have strong pace.
2. VX Racing
Drivers: Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal, Tom Onslow-Cole, Car: Vauxhall Vectra S2000
On paper, the team to beat. The Vectra won last year, while Giovanardi will be keen to defend his drivers’ crown. Neal rejoins Vauxhall after six years away with his own Team Dynamics squad; Onslow-Cole aims to build on a promising 2007.
3. Team RAC
Drivers: Colin Turkington, Stephen Jelley, Car: BMW 320si S2000
after struggling with the BMW initially in 2007, the squad found its feet and won three races. Turkington is a serious title contender, while F3 star Jelley has been fast in testing.
4. Team Halfords
Drivers: Gordon Shedden, Tom Chilton, Car: Honda Civic S2000
Civic was another car to debut last season. Team Halfords has lost its leader, Matt Neal, but Gordon Shedden is sure to step up to the mark. Chilton must add consistency to his speed.
5. BMW Dealer Team UK
Drivers: Mat Jackson, Car: BMW 320si S2000
Expect this family-run team to spring a few surprises. Jackson was fastest in Rockingham and Brands Hatch tests, and has secured increased sponsorship and a full-time pit crew.
6. Motorbase
Drivers: Steven Kane, Rob Collard , Car: BMW 320si S2000
Third BMW team could challenge for podiums despite limited experience. Former F3 and GT racer Jane is quick, while Collard will want to add to his two wins on his BTCC return.
7. Team Air Cool
Driver: Adam Jones, Car: Seat Leon S2000
Jones put in spirited drives in debut season last year, and claimed a podium. But delays at factory mean new Leon won’t arrive until just before the first race, limiting testing time.
8. Robertshaw Racing
Drivers: Harry Vaulkhard, Matt Allison, Car Chevrolet Lacetti S2000
Lacetti will be new to UK audiences, although limited testing could hamper it early on. Vaulkard moves up from SEAT single-make championship; Allison was quick last season.
9. TH Motorsport Racing wth Jag
Driver: John George, Car: Honda Integra BTC
Cornishman George starts his second season with Matt Neal’s old Honda Integra, and his team will want to build on the points finishes and pole position it achieved in 2007.
10. Team 48 Motorsport
Drivers: Darelle Wilson, Matthew Gore, Car: Alfa Romeo 159 S2000
Run by ex-England footballers John Barnes and Les Ferdinand, squad has two 2007 Alfas. Jamaica-based Gore has never raced in Europe, but Wilson, 19, was fast in lower formulae
11. Team KWR
Driver: Jason Hughes, Car: MG ZS/Honda Integra BTC
Go-kart track owner Hughes will use trusty ZS for first round, before switching to a more competitive Honda in his efforts to improve on a championship best of 13th in 2005.
12. Robertshaw Racing 2
Driver: Alan Taylor, Car: Honda Integra BTC
in his second season, Alan Taylor will again use a Honda prepared by the team behind the Chevrolet Lacettis. In 2007, he bagged a point at Knockhill – his first outing in the Integra.
13. BTC Racing
Drivers: Stuart Oliver, Chris Stockton, Car: Lexus IS200 S2000
Privately entered Lexus has been developed on a limited budget, so may struggle. Multiple truck racing champ Oliver makes car debut, while Stockton enters his second full year.
14. John Guest Racing
Drivers: Mike Jordan, Andrew Jordan, Car: Honda Integra BTC
The squad has grown to accommodate a father and son pairing. Dad Mike will want to regain race-winning form of 2006. Former rallycross champ Andrew has set fast times in testing.
15. In-Tune Racing
Driver: Michael Doyle, Car: Honda Civic Type R BTC
Young Scot Doyle is stepping up after a successful career in karting and the Renault Clio Cup. But a pre-season engine rebuild has reduced testing time, so he may be slow early on.
16. Arkas Racing
Drivers: Martyn Bell, Erkut Kizilirmak, Car: Vauxhall Astra Sport Coupé BTC
Expanded Arkas line-up now comprises former BMW driver Martyn Bell and 2005 Turkish tin-top champ Kizilirmak – although ageing Astra will be outpaced by newer S2000 cars.
(autoexpress)
on ITV4 
