Jason Plato will be in the thick of it at Thruxton this weekend

THE HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives for its latest rounds at Thruxton this weekend.

Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the BTCC calendar with a dizzying average speed of 110mph and its high-loading corners and two heavy braking zones put a premium on driver bravery, car control and race craft. Thruxton is where some of the BTCC''s most dramatic moments have been played out in the championship's illustrious 50-year history, never more so than last year when Vauxhall's Italian ace Fabrizio Giovanardi beat SEAT superstar Jason Plato to the title in an action-packed season finale.

And it is these two fierce rivals who, nine races into this season, head the standings arriving at Thruxton this time around. Giovanardi took his third win of the year at Donington Park last Sunday, but Plato was on the podium in all three races - also winning and in doing so making history by becoming the first driver in the BTCC to win with a diesel-powered car, namely SEAT's new Leon TDI.

As a result, he has shot up to second in the points table and many predict the torque generated by his Leon's diesel-turbo engine could give him an edge at Thruxton as he seeks to further close in on Giovanardi in his Vectra VXR.

But there are plenty more names in the fight for this year's BTCC title - indeed, seven different drivers have all taken wins in this season's opening nine rounds. Poole-based Tom Chilton in his Team Halfords Honda Civic and Hook's Robert Collard in his Motorbase BMW 320si are already proven race-winners in the BTCC.

In addition to the BTCC's three rounds that headline the action there will be a further seven races from a variety of supporting categories for the Thruxton crowds to savour.

12:24pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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