BRENTWOOD - The British Touring Car Championship bursts back into life for a new season with its first three races of 2011 at the Brands Hatch circuit in southern England on Sunday 3 April.

Ford is one of ten manufacturers taking part in the championship, with the Focus-based Team Aon BTCC race car developed by Arena International Motorsport, with technical support from Ford. Powered by a 2-litre turbocharged engine, this Focus is the first touring car to emerge from a global initiative by Ford to support private teams in developing a racer to S2000 specification.

Brands Hatch hosts the first of the BTCC’s ten high-profile race events in 2011 as part of a calendar that sees competitors in action at nine top circuits all over the country. Counties including Kent, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Hampshire, Cheshire, North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Fife and Northamptonshire will host the BTCC in 2011.
 
Some 42,000 people travelled to Brands Hatch last October to see Jason Plato achieve a record-equalling 60th BTCC race win and capture the second drivers’ title of his career. The 43-year-old from Oxford is eager to defend his coveted crown, but will again face opposition from a highly competitive grid made up of proven, rival title contenders.
 
For a full event timetable plus more information and latest news about the BTCC visit the official www.btcc.net website.