Provisional 2004 BTCC Calendar Announced

16 June 2003

Organisers of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship today unveiled the provisional calendar for the 2004 series, which includes a return to the coveted British F1 Grand Prix support line up after an absence of seven years.

The Fosters British Grand Prix is without doubt the pinnacle of the British motorsport calendar, and the F1 race-day support slot for a non-championship race will give the current BTCC manufacturers, including MG, Honda and Vauxhall the opportunity to perform on the same prestigious stage as the likes of Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Jaguar.

The 2004 BTCC season is provisionally scheduled to begin on Easter Sunday at Thruxton and could also see the championship returning to Scotland, depending on further negotiations.

Commenting on the developments, Series Director Alan Gow said:  “Traditionally, Touring Cars supported the British Grand Prix as a non-championship event, so it would be a real coup for us to resume this for 2004 and another extremely positive step forward.  I wanted to release a provisional calendar early to help the existing teams, and all other British motorsport championships, to firm up their plans for next season. The fantastic event schedule I’ve been able to propose for next year is also another compelling proposition for potential new BTCC entrants.” 

Andrew Waller, Managing Director of Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd, the company which operates Silverstone was also positive about the news:  “We have been building the Grand Prix package year on year, and we think that the return of a British Touring Car non-Championship support race in 2004 would add greatly to the excitement of the weekend.  The BTCC has gone from strength to strength in 2003, and provides a great showcase for British motorsport talent”.

The Green Flag MSA BTCC thrilled 40,000 fans at Brands Hatch earlier this year when it ran in support of the inaugural London Champ Car Trophy, a date which has been retained for 2004.  Unlike the British Grand Prix support race, this will count as a Championship event.  

Coupled with the news that the European Touring Car Championship manufacturers, such as BMW and Alfa Romeo, would be eligible to tackle the BTCC in 2004, the latest announcement is enthusiastically welcomed by the motor manufacturers, factory teams and independent entries alike.

See series calendar for British Touring Car Championship 2003 | 2004 (Provisional)

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