Spice Girl Melanie C, the sister of BTCC star Paul O'Neill, has thrown her support behind HiQ's bid to raise money for Breast Cancer Care ahead of the season finale at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Mel has urged fans to wear an item of pink for the weekend to help raise money for HiQ's official charity, with the BTCC title sponsor hoping to raise £5,000 from the Brands Hatch event.

"With my brother Paul racing in the BTCC, I am often trackside to cheer him on,” she said, “so when HiQ asked for some help in promoting their pink day on October 4, I was only too pleased to lend my support."

Anyone forgetting to wear their pink shirt or skirt, or don their pink accessories, can pick up a pink HiQ cap in return for a donation to the charity while the BTCC teams will hit the track with Dunlop in pink on their race tyres. Team Aon driver Tom Chilton has also vowed to dye his hair pink for the weekend, while HiQ's advert breaks on ITV4 will run in pink as opposed to the usual cyan blue.

“It's been a very successful season for our partnership with Breast Cancer Care,” HiQ's marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said. “We have raised thousands of pounds from various initiatives including the Strawberry Tea at Oulton Park as well as generous donations from fans in return for our pink caps.

"We want to mark the end of the season by making a visual spectacle and encourage everyone to join in the spirit of our pink-themed day and help us reach our £5,000 target for the day."