CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE STILL SET TO BE STAGED AT BRANDS HATCH

A revised British Touring Car Championship calendar includes two dates at Kent’s Brands Hatch circuit. The coronavirus pandemic led to the championship being postponed but organisers TOCA have issued revised dates including visits to Brands in August and the final round in midnovember.

TOCA insist the dates remain conditional and “upon receiving appropriate government directives and approvals regarding the resumption of sporting activities.”

The finale of the British Touring Car

Championship was to be held on the weekend of October 10/11 but that date will now see the cars heading to Croft, for rounds 19-21. The 2020 season – as originally planned – will still conclude in Kent, but at the later date of November 14/15.

The first visit to Brands, on the Indy circuit, is now planned for August 8/9. TOCA say: “The revised season is now scheduled to start on August 1/2 at Donington Park, which begins a run of four events in just five weekends, with Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Knockhill completing the opening month of action.”

One of two visits to Silverstone has been scrapped due to the compressed schedule.

Alan Gow, BTCC chief executive, said: “These are incredibly challenging times for the whole nation. Through it all, we have seen the importance of being both adaptable and pragmatic and the BTCC is no different.

“It’s entirely logical to draft plans and lock-in our provisional dates, with the ability to amend those if circumstances dictate.

“Obviously this calendar presents a hectic four months, with three separate back-to-back events and four events in the first five weeks alone.

“But our teams and drivers are fully up for the challenge – there’s such enormous energy, enthusiasm and passion for the BTCC that everyone will want to just roll up their sleeves and get the action underway when the time comes to go racing.

“However, the over-arching element will always be to ensure we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, in order to provide a safe environment.”