The 2002 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship is roaring into Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (30 March – 1 April) with a bumper grid and superb three day racing package that cannot be missed! For the first time this year, eight Touring car teams and eight Production car teams will go head to head to launch the 2002 season of arguably the world’s most successful Touring car series. Reigning BTC Touring Teams' Champion, Vauxhall Motorsport, is set to defend its title with a two pronged attack in the form of Frenchman and 2001 Runner-up, Yvan Muller and the 2001 third placed Yorkshireman, James Thompson. With Muller and Thompson playing cat and mouse during pre-season testing in their Vauxhall Astra Coupés, the battle for the championship silverware is sure to keep spectators captivated right down to the wire. People’s Champion Matt Neal and Touring category graduate Paul O’Neill join the fray for Vauxhall’s sister team, Egg Sport. Neal set the fastest time during testing at Silverstone two weeks ago and has firmly thrown down the gauntlet in the Vauxhall camp for some intense but fair team rivalry. Vauxhall Motorsport Team Principal, Ian Harrison said: “Make no bones about it, we hope to carry on where we left off. However, whether we can do that we just don’t know yet. We have to be realistic about this. We are certainly looking forward to it but the pressure is on. It’s not until after Monday that we will know what we have to do. There will be no team orders. We expect all four drivers to give their best!” MG Sport and Racing is planning a full assault on the championship this year after competing in the last three rounds in 2001. Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes will again join the British marque in two MG ZSs in MG’s quest to continue its successful streak from 2001 when it was the only manufacturer to break Vauxhall’s stranglehold. MG Sport & Racing will face stiff competition not only from Vauxhall Motorsport and Egg Sport but from new manufacturer-teams Honda Racing (fielding Civic Type-Rs) and Team Petronas Syntium Proton (Proton Impians) as well as from Independent entries, Barwell Motorsport (Vauxhall Astra Coupés), Team Atomic Kitten (MG ZSs) and Team Halfords (Peugeot 406 Coupés). In the Production category, Tech-speed Motorsport’s Mark Fullalove will be one to look out for in his Peugeot 306. The 2001 Lotus Elise Champion has proven that he has the pace to lead the Production title chasing pack from the off after setting the fastest times in all official test sessions to date. Unwilling to share the spoils of victory, he will have to fend off newcomers Spencer Marsh and Mark Thomas (Beacon Motorsport) who have been firmly positioned in his wing mirrors in their Honda Accords. Last year’s Runner-up, James Kaye (Synchro Motorsport) will undoubtedly be in the mix from the outset with the likes of Collard Racing, Edenbridge Racing, Gary Ayles Motorsport, TH Motorsport and Team B&Q Jet York City all also determined to visit the podium during the season. Performances in testing so far suggest that both the new graduates and the veterans of the BTCC will produce some electrifying action on the track this year. And this weekend, spectators are in for a real Easter treat with the first of three 'Super Sundays…Manic Mondays' events. These three day super weekends see the cream of the UK's single seater, sports and saloon car series supporting the Green Flag British Touring Car Championship. Kicking off on Saturday 30 March, the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, the BRDC British GT Championship and the fabulous new World Sportscar Invitation Trophy - a real treat for historic race fans - will provide an explosion of dawn to dusk racing in addition to the regular support series. This opportunity to see a plethora of talent race under the same roof cannot be missed. To catch your piece of the action, come down to Brands Hatch this Easter or call the ticket hotline on 01327 850140 to secure the best seats in the house.