HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship boss Alan Gow has predicted that Donington Park this weekend could be one of the most action-packed rounds of the 2008 campaign.
The circuit has played host to some of the most dramatic scenes in the history of the BTCC, including
Matt Neal's first win as an Independent which banked him a cool £250,000 back in 1999 and the conclusion of the titanic battle between James Thompson, Yvan Muller and
Jason Plato for the 2004 title – which saw Thompson emerge victorious ahead of Muller by just a point.
Donington was also the scene of the race regarded by many as the finest in the history of the BTCC, when former
F1 champion
Nigel Mansell diced for victory during the 1998 feature race - which was eventually won by another veteran John Cleland in wet weather conditions.
With the 2008 campaign already well set to match previous years in terms of action after just two weekends of racing, Gow said he was confident that the Donington weekend will once again be one to remember.
"A look-back down the years shows that some of the most dramatic moments in BTCC history have been played out in front of the Donington crowds," he said. "We've had team-mates crashing out together, race wins and titles decided on the last lap, shock results and plenty of controversy and arguments among the leading drivers. I see no reason why that tradition won't continue this Sunday.
"The Donington circuit has a high average speed and there are plenty of places for the drivers to have a go at overtaking one another. Of our current grid there are probably as many as 16 drivers all capable of winning races - we've had five different winners from the opening six rounds.
"In fact I predict
Donington's 2008 BTCC race day will likely produce some of the most exciting action of the UK motor sport calendar."
