The battle for the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship has stepped up a gear following Jonathan
Adam's double victory at Knockhill and the Total Control Racing man will head to Silverstone this weekend just 14 points behind current leader Robert Lawson in the title standings.

Lawson isn't going to roll over easily though and all of the drivers will be experiencing Silverstone for the first time in the new Leon Cupra race cars, so that uncertainty will only add to the pressure. Lawson and Adam will not only have to get to grips with each other over the 1.6 mile long National Circuit, but their teams will have to get to grips with their cars' set-ups in just two short practice sessions on the Friday.

At this stage making tweaks during qualifying is a dangerous game as grid positions will surely count come race day. And with drivers like Martin Byford (AB Glass/Z Speed Racing) and Carl Breeze (Blue Chip/Welch Motorsport) breathing down the pairs' necks in the Championship, and keen to get the results they know their talent warrants, it will be crucial for those with victory in mind to get into the lead early.

"Even from my point of view the points are very close,” Lawson said. “But I like Silverstone as a circuit and I think it'll suit us. You can only do your best."

"I think we'll be strong there again,” Adam added. “We haven't been there with this car before though and Rob's quick and he doesn't make mistakes."

It's not just these top four drivers that will be making each other sweat though. Daniel Welch (Marriott/Welch Motorsport) and Andrew Herron (Brian Herron Plant/JHR) have proven they have the pace to get onto the podium already this season, while David Green (Daniels Motorsport) and Jeremy Gumbley (Millionpixeldriver.com/Welch Motorsport) looked to have found new pace at Knockhill.

Throw into the mix talented young drivers like Daniel Rowbottom (DRM M-sport), Freddy Nordström (Plumbertraining.com/Advent Motorsport) and James Appleby (Hardinge Machine Tools) all racing on a circuit in cars that have never raced there before and anything could happen.

“As we head to Silverstone for the penultimate meeting, the title race couldn't be closer,” championship co-ordinator Jeremy Doncaster said. “Robert Lawson and the JHR team have been very consistent this season, but Jonathan Adam has eight race wins as reward for his talent and the efforts of Total Control Racing. All the drivers will be on the limit at Silverstone and the title contest has all the makings of an epic battle.

“This year's Championship has been one of the most exciting and hotly contested since SEAT introduced the series in 2003, with many of the best saloon car drivers outside of the BTCC racing at speeds that rival touring cars. With the biggest prize fund in the UK, including a manufacturer backed entry with SEAT, at stake, I have no doubt this Championship will go all the way to the final flag.”