MILLENNIUM HERALDS EXPANDED BTCC

Next year's Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship will be the biggest yet, featuring 28-rounds following the addition of Mondello Park in Ireland to the BTCC calendar. In the year 2000, the world's most coveted touring car title chase will be won and lost at 14 nationwide race meetings, each one showcasing the established BTCC double-header format first introduced in 1998 that includes both short Sprint plus longer Feature races.

The new Millennium marks the first time Mondello Park has been included on the busy BTCC schedule. The Irish circuit, located close to Dublin, is undergoing a major programme of redevelopment and, subject to the completion of these works, Britain's premier motor sport championship will make its debut in Ireland during August 2000.

"We are confident the facilities at Mondello Park will be finished in time and we are all very excited to be taking the BTCC to Ireland in 2000 where I know we are guaranteed a hugely enthusiastic reception. It will add yet another dimension to our innovative championship,", says Alan Gow, Chief Executive of series organiser TOCA Limited.

The expanded BTCC calendar confirms that TOCA will stage another of its immensely popular night race meetings at Snetterton in Norfolk during July 2000, and that it will also reintroduce top class touring car racing to the challenging Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Next year's curtain raisers in early April will be the first BTCC races staged on the full 2.6-mile GP track since 1996.

"The two recent night races at Snetterton were a huge hit with both drivers and fans, so we'd like to build on this success in future seasons," enthuses Gow. "In fact, it would be nice to think this dramatic floodlit extravaganza will become a regular fixture on the BTCC calendar in the 21st Century."

Commenting on the reintroduction of the daunting Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit after a near four-year absence, Gow remarks: "We've decided to return to the full Brands Hatch Grand Prix lay-out for the first two BTCC races in the next Millennium as the BBC has selected these particular rounds among those it broadcasts live. It makes sense to use the famous old GP circuit as its undulations and high speed corners always provide spectacular entertainment for those watching at home."

As in 1999, the BBC's top rating sports show, BBC Grandstand, will carry live coverage from three selected race meetings during the 2000 BTCC � the Brands Hatch curtain raiser plus fixtures at Thruxton and Oulton Park later in the year. BBC Grandstand will also screen extensive post-produced coverage of all the remaining 22 rounds.

Press release supplied by Brian G. Thornton - [email protected]

The Car Enthusiast will also cover every race, assisted by Jakob Ebrey Photographic.

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