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The end of the season is fast approaching as the BTCC visits the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire for rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the championship:


Knockhill saw three different race winners in the form of Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal and Jason Plato. In the championship Plato increased his lead slightly as Matt Neal moved into 2nd place. Plato can clinch the title this weekend if he leaves Donington with a 53 point advantage over everyone else though this is unlikely:

1.  Jason Plato          202
2.  Matt Neal            182  
3.  Tom Onslow-Cole      178
4.  Gordon Shedden       169
5.  Tom Chilton          143
6.  Steven Kane          134
7.  Mat Jackson          124
8.  Paul O'Neill         117
9.  Rob Collard          106
10. Andrew Jordan         72
11. Alex MacDowall        67
12. Tom Boardman          43
13. James Nash            41
14. Fabrizio Giovanardi   38
15. David Pinkney         11
16. Phil Glew              9
17. Daniel Lloyd           7
18. Andy Neate             5
19. John George            2
20. Martin Johnson         2
21. Matt Hamilton          2
22. Lea Wood               0
23. Arthur Forster         0
24. Martin Depper          0
25. Shaun Hollamby         0
26. Jeff Smith             0

James Kaye has announced a surprise return to the series this weekend after nearly 4 years out. Daniel Lloyd may also be running in one of the Triple Eight cars for the second time this season although Paul O'Neill may not be attending due to lack of money.

Sunday timetable
09.30 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain
10.05 Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup
10.45 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
11.25 Ginetta Junior Championship
12.05 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
13.40 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain
14.25 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
15.05 Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup
15.45 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
16.25 Ginetta Junior Championship
17.05 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship

TV coverage
ITV4 @ 1130-1800, Sunday 19 September (Live BTCC & Supports)
ITV4 @ 1530-1700, Tuesday 21 September (BTCC highlights)
ITV1HD @ 0300-0415, Friday 24 September (BTCC highlights)
ITV4 @ 1500-1625, Saturday 25 September (BTCC highlights)

Awesome to see James Kaye back! Who knows, if he stays out of trouble he could grab a few points. The Integra is still a very competitive car, as Owy shows us EVERY round!

I reckon that because the Renaults are away we will get to see every race, bar the FFords, live or as live.

Unless the FFord Championship/teams have agreed to stump up a premium to have their races shown they wont be on the bill, but I'd imagine all the rest will be shown in full.

Actually it looks like one of the first Ginetta races won't be shown either. The Boresches will be shown and I'd expect the Juniors rather then the G50's.

Hopefully Plato has a bad weekend so Neal, Shedden & Onslow Cole can head to Brands with a big chance of the title.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

They'll probably show the first Ginetta tape delayed when the second FFord race is on
Good to see Donnington open again

On board lap with Shaun Hollamby:

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Track looks great from those shots.

I'm sure the track is great, it'd have to be to please the FIA and especially Gow, but what I'm worried about is the state of the facilities.
The last time I was there they were in dire need of upgrading (film of piss all over the toilets floor, etc) and that was the one thing I was hoping the F1 deal would improve (To be fair Silverstone's facilities are in another league) but now I imagine all the focus has been on getting the track back together with little regard to the fans.

Still, at least things fell apart before they put in all that horrid FIA tarmac down the old hairpin like they were planning

There's a chance I might be able to go and watch this race this weekend and find out for myself, not sure yet.

Bottom line though, we're watching a race meeting at Donington again, so as much as I've just moaned about it, after such an uncertain future for the place, that has to be seen as some of the best and most relieving news all year....

Fantastic news that James Kaye is back. I just hope O'Neill is able to complete the season. I know it is just a minor point but I really don't like that new chicane. The old chicane was great because of the camber, the new chicane just looks average. Oh well, I suppose I'd rather have Donington back but with a crap chicane rather than no Donington at all.

I'll be going on Sunday, sat on the banking on the outside of th Old Hairpin as usual. The banking on the infield opposite looks a bit unsuitable for spectating so I expect it to be busier everywhere else. Then again it's WSbR at Silverstone and Goodward revival also on Sunday so I don't expect it to be too busy.

Looking forward to it, it's my most local (and favourite) track, and I'm really glad it's up and running again!

By the way codename, if you've ever been to the toilets near the grandstand on the start finish straight at Cadwell, you wouldn't be complaining about the toilets at Donington. At least they've got a roof on them!

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I will be going with my girlfriend and my lad.

It will be his first motorsport experience. So I hope we are in for a good day out on Sunday. I am kinda disappointed not to go into the infield as I heard it is closed. But at least the outfield will be more accesible for my son's pram.

It still looks wrong without the Dunlop bridge.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

I hope they'll put it back up

New location?

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

New clearence regulations? I hope that was only for F1 and that they can put it back. It should be there no where else.

Well that was the plan under DVLL as well as obviously the plan was to move the track over a bit. I have no idea where they're going to put it but you'd think it probably won't be over the circuit itself

Hadn't heard the bit about clearance, though - bit odd if you consider, say, the Dunlop Bridge at Le Mans or the bridges at places like Magny Cours which are quite low

Lets be fair, you've gotta be giving it some to flip a BTCC car so high to whack the bridge. I mean, even the biggest clusterfuck between Neal, Plato and Collard probably wouldn't whack the bridge

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Yeah, because only touring cars race at Donington...