Silverstone, the most famous race track in Britain, will host the penultimate BTCC round this weekend. Steeped in history the 1.64 mile high speed circuit takes just over 59 seconds to complete at race pace, offering up top speeds of 130mph on the long straights and while testing the drivers through the demanding corners of Maggots and Becketts.
When the flag drops at the start of Sunday the drivers will be put under immediate pressure with the first corner. Copse corner provides opportunities to overtake on the way down to Maggots. It’s important the drivers get a off to a good start, quick reaction time and great traction from the tyres could ease early pressure.
Copse corner is not the only place drivers will be frantically looking in their mirrors; the wide straights at Silverstone inevitably mean that we will see side-by-side action. Club Straight sees the cars reach the highest speed point on track at 131mph before dropping from sixth to second gear into Brooklands. The tyres really come into their own here providing the drivers enough grip to have the confidence to brake later than their opponent.
The dramatic downpours experienced at Rockingham are forecast for qualifying. With the drivers looking to go flat out to take that pole position the Dunlop WinterSport wet tyres are likely to be called into action. These wet tyres have V-tread water channels like our road tyres, and a unique compound that helps give the drivers stability and reassurance in the wet.
This weekend is likely to provide us with a great indication of who could take the 2012 championship. Seven drivers are still able to win the 2012 title and if Honda continues to struggle with straight line speed this weekend then it could be all change at the top and a tense finish at Brands Hatch. On the other hand Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden won two out three races between them last year as well as a pole position for Neal; a repeat of this and it could be an all Honda fight for the title.
Join us on ITV4 and at www.itv.com/btcc for live coverage of the race on Sunday from 11am.
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