BTCC: Croft gets green light

NEWS FROM THE AUTO TRADER RAC TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP, 16/4/97 Croft gets the green light Following yesterday's (Tues) circuit inspection, TOCA Limited is delighted to announce that rounds 13 and 14 of this year's Auto Trader RAC Touring Car Championship will be staged at the revitalised Croft Circuit near Darlington in the North East of England on June 28/29. The dates had been provisional pending the inspection. Over the winter months the circuit's ambitious owners have totally refurbished the facility, creating an exciting new 2.12-mile racetrack as well as building impressive new competitor and spectator facilities. In all, 1.5 million has been invested in the venue. Alan Gow, Chief Executive of TOCA Limited, is delighted that the BTCC will be visiting the thriving North East. ''We are highly impressed with the work which has been undertaken at Croft and everything is progressing on schedule. ''The inclusion of Croft on the BTCC calendar takes Britain's top motor sport series into a new geographical area with huge potential. We are expecting a bumper crowd for what will be the biggest motor sport event in the North East of England for many decades.'' Speaking on behalf of Croft, circuit owner Kate Chaytor-Norris says: ''It was always our dream to host rounds of the prestigious Auto Trader RAC Touring Car Championship, so we are absolutely thrilled that TOCA has confirmed our date for this summer. Hopefully Croft will now become a regular venue on the BTCC calendar.'' The BTCC teams have two days of official pre-race testing to familiarise themselves with the new circuit (June 19 and 27) before the two crucial qualifying sessions on June 28 and two 25-lap races on June 29. ------ BTCC97 www.demon.co.uk/racing/