Saloon Car Feast For Croft

Darlington and District Motor Club take over the helm for the next race meeting at Croft Circuit next weekend (8/9th May) with the Britcar Championship being supported by the ever popular Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship, Mighty Minis, Super Mighty Minis and as a break from the 'tin tops', Formula Jedi.

With qualifying and four races on Saturday followed by a 150-minute race for Britcars, and races for each of the other categories on Sunday, it will be an action packed weekend.

The last Britcar round at Snetterton saw a packed grid of GT and Saloon cars with Ferrari, Mosler and Marcos marques being joined by BMW, Renault and Ford. Local interest will surely lay with Ian Lawson in the BMW who is joined by ex-F1 driver Mike Wilds. Ian started his career with the Northern Sports & Saloon Car Championship (NSSCC) so it will be a bit of a homecoming for him.

As expected the NSSCC sees a full 36-driver entry and an eclectic selection of cars headed by the Lotus Elan of Middlesbrough tyre dealer Mark Campbell. The Porsche 996 GT3 cup of Marcus Fothergill and the Marcos Mantis of Dundee garage owner Colin Simpson could provide serious competition whilst local journalist and broadcaster, Larry Carter from Northallerton, brings his Peugeot 206 to the grid on one of his rare outings away from British Superbike Championship duties to challenge the likes of 2009 Champion Paul Moss from Darlington in his Citroen Saxo.

Yarm's Bill Addison (Caterham R400), Hartlepool driver Mick Starkey (Ford Fiesta) and DDMC Secretary Terry Wright (Rover 100) will also be worth looking out for in the packed grid.

Three visiting championships for the Mighty Minis, Super Mighty Minis and Formula Jedi provide some close one make racing with slip streaming being the order of the day around the fast but technical Croft Circuit.

Practice commences on Saturday at 09.30 followed by racing at 15.00. On Sunday the first race is scheduled for 12.35. Adult admission is just £12.00 on both days with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted FREE and FREE paddock and car parking.

Further information is available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or at www.croftcircuit.co.uk