Thruxton’s forthcoming rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday 6 May could be the closest and most exciting ever fought at the Hampshire circuit, believes the venue’s boss Dennis Carter.

The BTCC’s title race took a new twist last weekend (21-22 April) at Rockingham when Vauxhall driver Fabrizio Giovanardi won twice to emerge as a potential new champion. The Italian ace is now up to second in the standings behind SEAT’s Jason Plato.

But with increasing competition from reigning champion outfit Team Halfords’ new Honda Civic and rival squads Team RAC and Jacksons MSport also coming close to wins with their BMWs, the scene is set for three nail-biting BTCC rounds at Thruxton – the fastest circuit on the BTCC calendar.

Carter, Chief Executive of the British Automobile Racing Club that runs Thruxton, says: “It is fair to say to the public ‘get ready for a thriller’. I predict these could be best BTCC races we’ve ever seen at Thruxton.

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“There are now more than a dozen team/car/driver combinations capable of winning in the BTCC and the sight of the field jostling for position under braking for the Complex or the Club Chicane three times in one day is going to make for some very exciting racing for the crowds.

“This is without doubt one of the biggest events for the whole family to enjoy during the bank holiday weekend.”

One of the reasons behind Carter’s anticipation is a set of new technical regulations in the BTCC that have resulted in greater grid sizes and a wider variety of cars. Some 26 drivers are entered for Thruxton’s three rounds in cars from Alfa Romeo, BMW, Honda, Lexus, MG, SEAT and Vauxhall.

Carter adds: “This is an opportunity for the crowds to come and watch Britain’s biggest motor racing series, at its brilliant best, in action on the fastest track on the calendar.

“Thruxton always draws an enormous and enthusiastic crowd on BTCC race day, but this year, judging by the increased crowd sizes at the opening two BTCC meetings, the signs are that the atmosphere will be even more exciting than normal.”