BTCC stars to cross Forth road bridge

Wed 17th August 2005 Scotland's world famous Forth Road Bridge will collect an extra few pounds in cash at its toll booths when it greets cars and drivers from the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as they head for the Knockhill circuit near Fife for rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the 2005 championship on Sunday 28 August.

A number of the championship's star names will parade their BTCC cars across the suspension bridge that stands 150 feet above the Forth estuary. The Bridge last year celebrated its 40th birthday and its yearly northbound traffic volume is around the 12-million mark.

The Bridge's 1.5-mile northbound route will be closed for a short period of time on Thursday 25 August to enable the symbolic crossing to take place. Once on the other side, the cars will be loaded back into their team transporters and taken to Knockhill circuit just north of Dunfermline in preparation for the circuit's biggest race weekend of the year.

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says: "This event is very special as it has the potential to generate huge media exposure for the Knockhill BTCC meeting, the Forth Road Bridge and our teams, drivers and their sponsors.

"To stage such an event on such a famous landmark and with the superb Forth Rail Bridge running alongside will be a phenomenal achievement. And then there is the wonderful backdrop of Edinburgh city plus the spectacular Scottish countryside in the background. What a great sight this will all make of our arrival in Scotland.

"Yes, our drivers will be made to cough up and pay the £1 toll. I'll be very interested to see who reaches for his wallet last."

Gow adds: "It is important to stress that this event could not have happened without the very kind co-operation of Knockhill circuit, the Forth Road Bridge management team and Fife Police Constabulary. The BTCC will work closely with all of them to ensure that traffic disruption is kept to the very minimum."

This is the second major publicity event staged by the BTCC in just over a month. In the middle of July, the BTCC's cars wowed 5,000 spectators with a spectacular display alongside the Quayside in NewcastleGateshead city centre prior to their race meeting at the nearby Croft circuit.