This weekend (4/5 April) Brands Hatch will be hosting the opening round of the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, as VX Racing’s Fabrizio Giovanardi bids to become the first driver in over 25 years to clinch three consecutive titles.
The BTCC field took part in an official pre-season test at Brands Hatch last week, in which reigning champion Giovanardi topped the timesheets. The Italian driver demonstrated record breaking pace, dipping below the Indy circuit qualifying lap record set by Yvan Muller in 2001.
However, Giovanardi will face strong competition in his 2009 title campaign, including his team-mates double champion Matt Neal and 19-year-old Andrew Jordan, who makes his VX Racing debut this weekend.
Local team Airwaves BMW from Wrotham will be hoping for their maiden series victory, as driver duo Rob Collard and Jonathan Adam finished second and third respectively at their home circuit test. After securing two independent drivers’ titles, Team RAC’s Colin Turkington will also be a likely front-runner at the Brands Hatch opening round.
Several unknown quantities will also line up on the grid this season including Team Aon’s Tom Chilton in a Ford Focus ST and Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing, the BTCC’s first carbon zero team.
As well as three races from the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch will host the opening rounds of BTCC support series including the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Formula Renault UK and Ginetta Juniors series for up-and-coming young drivers.
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