Bennett started the season well, taking 3rd position, and his first BTCC podium spot, at the first meeting of the season at Brands Hatch. He followed this with another third position at Thruxton, before 2 second places, one each at Silverstone and Knockhill. His much anticipated first win came not that long ago, in the sprint race at the second meeting of the year at Silverstone. This followed his controversial race ban which kept him out of Rounds 19 & 20 at Oulton Park, and as such, was his reply to suggestions that he would be dropped from the Egg Sport team. He then followed this up with his second win - again in the sprint race - this time though, at Donington Park. Bennett has shown that he has the ability to drive with the best, and when he keeps a cool head, can be very successful, however he has always been just outside the main battle for the championship.

Bennett's Egg Sport team-mate, James Thompson has featured regularly on the podium this year, having taken three victories, 7 second places, and 9 thirds so far this year. His talent and ability is not in question, but his downfall this year has been his inability to convert more of those podium finishes in to victories, and this is where he has dropped those vital championship points which meant he has frustratingly had to accept that he will not be crowned BTCC champion in 2001.

The two contenders at Brands Hatch this weekend are Vauxhall Motorsport drivers Jason Plato and Yvan Muller. Very little has separated the pair throughout the season, either in terms of championship points, or indeed on the track. From 24 starts, Muller has achieved 10 victories and 11 other podium finishes, with Plato having won 9 races and finished on the podium a further 13 times. What this means, is that going in to the final meeting, Plato leads by 6 points and the title is far from won.

Throughout the course of the year, Plato has been the more consistent driver, not having recorded a single 'D.N.F.', although he has received two 30-second penalties for driving standard infringements, which have twice cost him positions, and therefore points. The graph below shows the points totals of the four Astra Coupe drivers, as well as Peugeot drivers Dan Eaves and Steve Soper, over the course of the season so far. It shows that whilst Plato dropped away slightly during the middle part of the season his recent consistency has allowed him to retake the lead.

The table below shows the positions that the Astra Coupe drivers have achieved this season, with podium finishes highlighted, and non-finishes marked in red. This should make it slightly clearer as to why, approaching the final meeting, it is Plato and Muller who are competing for the title.

There are a maximum of 35 points to be won at Brands Hatch this weekend, and it all starts on Saturday, with a point to be gained by the driver who takes pole position for each of the two races. Then, on raceday, as well as points for finishing positions, the driver who sets the fastest lap in each race gains an extra point, as does any driver who leads for a lap in the feature race. It is possible that it could be decided by the Sprint race result, but much more likely is that it will go right down to the wire and be decided in the feature race. 50 laps of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit - anything could happen!