TOUGH AT THE TOP AS BTCC HEADS EAST

3 Points Separate Top 2 Drivers in both BTC Touring and BTC Production Classes

The www.theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship heads for Snetterton Circuit this weekend for the second of its scheduled night race meetings. With only three points separating the top two drivers in each class Rounds 15 and 16 of the Championship will no doubt play host to some of the toughest racing action this weekend.

In the BTC Touring Class, Vauxhall Motorsport driver Jason Plato snatched the top spot in the Drivers Championship from team-mate and rival Yvan Muller on his last sortie at Knockhill, and in doing so left the Scottish circuit with a tally of 179 points. There is now only three points separating Plato and Muller.

Plato has shown impressive form at night, with a double win earlier in the year at Silverstone and a one two finish last year at the Norfolk Circuit. Buoyed by his recent success, the Oxford based driver will be more determined than ever to remain at the top and widen the gap between himself and Muller.

Plato recently tested the Vauxhall Astra Coupe at Snetterton and is more than aware of the job in hand.

He commented: "We recently tested at Snetterton and I was quickest all day until we ran into a small brake disk problem, but I was pleased with the overall result at the circuit. It is a good track for me and I am lucky, as I know it well from my single-seater days. I have been fortunate and had some good night race results. It will be an important weekend for me and hopefully my recent form will stay with me”.

Muller, an experienced Le Mans, Spa 24 hour and night ice racer, will be drawing on all his knowledge to firmly to close the gap. The Frenchman has not had luck on his side in the last few races and hopes that the cool night air will help him to return to the top.

Muller commented: "Unfortunately I have been suffering with brake problems over the past few races, and I was unable to drive as competitively as I hoped. We have resolved most of the issues and with the cooler night temperatures this weekend, I am confident that I will find my winning form once again".

It is an identical story in the Production class. Team Kaliber Sport's James Kaye leads HTML's Simon Harrison by a mere three points and the top two have four wins each. Kaye's Accord has proved masterful in the corners this season while the HTML's Peugeot has shown superior straight-line speed - a quality that they will be relying on this weekend.

Kaye commented: "Snetterton should be good for us. The nature of the circuit is smooth flowing and that will suit our car. The track can be hard on tyres and we don't seem to suffer in that department, Simon (Graves) will not be carrying any weight so overall the team should be strong."

Harrison meanwhile will be concentrating on repeating his last night race meeting success, which saw the Baldock based driver finish first and second in the Sprint and Feature Races respectively. His main focus is to stay ahead of Kaye.

Harrison commented: "It really is close between us now, and I am pleased that Snetterton has come at this stage of the Championship. Out of all of the circuits, I feel that it is one that is most suitable to the Peugeot. I will be carrying a lot of lead this weekend (51kg) but as long as I finish ahead of Kaye, I’ll come away happy".

BTC Touring Car Team, Team Peugeot Sport has made significant modifications to the suspension set-up of the 406s ahead of the weekend and are confident that the changes will help them with traction and gain them valuable time. Driver Dan Eaves will take to the track in a completely new car after damaged sustained at Knockhill put his previous car out of action.

Crowd favourite and former BTCC Champion Tim Harvey will once again pilot the JS Motorsport prepared Alfa Romeo 147. Harvey, who made an appearance earlier in the year at Oulton Park gave their team their best finish this season and firmly placed the car on the third step of the rostrum. Harvey is aiming for a repeat performance.

The BTCC Sprint Race is scheduled to commence at 8.15pm and the BTCC Feature Race is scheduled to commence at 10.50pm.