Legendary motor racing
commentator Murray
Walker believes Thruxton's
HiQ MSA British Touring
Car Championship
fixture this Sunday is a
must-see event for fans.
Walker, the voice of the
BTCC's television coverage
in the late 1980s and
throughout the '90s, is a
lifelong supporter of
Thruxton and member of
the British Automobile
Racing Club, which is
based at the high-speed
Hampshire venue.
With less than a week
to go before the BTCC -
in its historic 50th year -
visits the fastest track on
its calendar,Walker said:
"The BTCC at Thruxton is
special, because it has a
long tradition of incredibly
exciting, panel-bashing
racing featuring greats like
John Cleland, Steve Soper,
Andy Rouse, Frank Biela,
Jo Winkelhock, Alain Menu
and Matt Neal.
"Thruxton is the fastest
track in Britain, which is in
regular use and, as such,
makes unique demands
on both the cars and the
drivers.
The Campbell/Cobb/
Segrave complex of corners,
named after past British world
land speed record holders, is a
great place to watch, both at the
circuit itself and on TV.
"The notorious bump at
Church corner, the long, flat-out
dash down to the chicane and
the chicane itself also all offer
superb opportunities to revel
in the driving skills of the
competitors in the world's
top national touring car
championship.
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"I would certainly recommend
Thruxton to would-be spectators
for all the above reasons, but
also because it is easy to get to,
has ample parking space and
because the elevated spectator
banks offer excellent vantage
points."
This year's BTCC is one of
the most wide-open since
Walker started commentating
on the championship more than
20 years ago - the season's
opening nine rounds have
already produced seven
different winners.
And Walker reckons each of
this Sunday's three BTCC
rounds, which headline a
ten-race bill, will be a nail-biter.
Walker added: "Everyone
likes to see wheel-to-wheel
battles for race victories and
championship points and, with
Britain's Jason Plato, who of
course drives a diesel-powered
Spanish SEAT, and Vauxhall's
Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi
heading a host of spectacular
and ambitious rivals, there will
be plenty of opportunities for
partisan support from what is
sure to be a very big crowd.
"But don't expect Jason and
Fabrizio automatically to rule
the roost, for one slip by either
of them will open the door for
any of their many talented
opponents.
Double champion Matt Neal
in his Vauxhall, Darren Turner
in his diesel SEAT, plus
BMW-mounted Mat Jackson
and Colin Turkington are just
four of them, and there are
plenty of others!
"Having said that, I'd forecast
a likely win for Jason Plato at
Thruxton.
"With years of experience
there he knows the circuit and,
after his first win of the season,
he is hungry for more.
"Now that his powerful diesel
SEAT is up to speed, it should
have the grunt that is needed to
see off his rivals at super-fast
Thruxton, but watch his SEAT
team-mate Turner too."
Alan Day Honda is proud to
be supporting the day.The
group has showrooms in
Winchester, Southampton and
Portsmouth and will have a
significant presence at
Thruxton.
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