BTCC - Oulton Park Preview
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship resumes this weekend at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire. The circuit is a BTCC fan favourite and will again be swarmed with tens of thousands of fans over the weekend.
The opening three weekends of the 2018 season have thrown up some exceptional racing, with young chargers still battling out at the top of the table while the series stalwarts take a back seat. Adam Morgan took the championship lead after a brilliant showing last time out at Thruxton and has Josh Cook and Tom Ingram for company at the top of the standings.
A record crowd was in attendance at Thruxton, which saw the usual close and competitive racing we are familiar with and the crowds in Cheshire will be expecting much of the same this weekend, at a circuit which has played host to some epic encounters over the years.
The gap at the top of the standings between Morgan and Cook is just one point, which means its going to be elbows out for the pair at Oulton Park if they are going to leave with a big points haul in their push for a championship challenge. In fact, the top five in the standings are separated by just 18 points, when its 22 up for grabs in a single race. This just goes to show how close this year is turning out to be.
There are also plenty of local drivers and teams for the crowd to give their support to. Adam Morgan and Ciceley Motorsport call the Cheshire circuit home along with Morgan’s team mate Tom Oliphant, who is a Cheshire lad himself. Speedworks Motorsport hail from just down the road in Sandbach, Motorbase’s James Cole and Tom Boardman all call Oulton Park their home circuit.
With the weather also looking like it might play a part again, this weekend looks like it’ll be another belter for the fans on the banks and for those watching at home.
Timetable
Saturday: FP1: 09:30 FP2: 12:10 QUALI: 15:20
Sunday: Race 1: 12:20 Race 2: 14:50 Race 3: 17:05
Words: Matt Gough
Images: Eric Barnes Photography
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