Rockingham Provides Great Family Entertainment
26. april 2010
THOUSANDS of people enjoyed a fantastic family day out at Rockingham yesterday (Sunday, April 25) as the Northamptonshire circuit hosted the second meeting of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Around 10,000 motor racing fans took advantage of the spring weather to enjoy the spectacular racing yesterday (Sunday, April 25).
The racing exceeded everyone’s expectations with Jason Plato in the Racing Silverline car taking the lead in the drivers’ championship on 64 points after winning race two at Rockingham.
His victory also gave his Wellingborough-based team RML/Chevrolet the lead of the manufacturer championship. Races one and three were won by Matt Neal, now just 17 points behind Plato in his Honda Racing Team Honda Civic.
The weekend, however, belonged to local hero Paul O’Neill, who now heads the Independent Drivers’ Championship after an excellent second place in race three. This was the best-ever podium finish for Team Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Motorsport, who will want to go one better in the next three races.
In fact, Rockingham proved a happy hunting ground for all three local drivers, as Brixworth’s Steven Kane finished third in both race two and three, putting the Airwaves BMW driver into third place in the overall standings, just in front of Mawsley-based O’Neill. With only four points separating second and fourth spot, this season looks like being another close encounter.
Off-the-track, there was plenty of entertainment for the younger motor racing fans who had a terrific time trying the amazing bungee trampolines, climbing wall, bouncy castle, bucking bronco, water zorbing and monster truck rides.
There was also plenty of competition in the Welcome Centre on the circuit’s in-house racing simulators and on the slot-car reproduction of the Rockingham International Super Sportscar track, as racing fans, both young and old, battled it out to record the best time.
Free face painting and temporary tattoos kept the children amused and everyone had the chance to meet the drivers during the traditional pit lane walkabout and autograph sessions.
Rockingham Director Charlotte Orton, said: “It has been absolutely fabulous with around 18,000 visitors over the weekend generating a brilliant atmosphere and enjoying a superb two days of family fun and entertainment.
“We used the venue to its full potential, with free access to grandstand seating and the paddock area as well as lots of off-track entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Coupled with some very close and exciting racing, we are very happy and look forward to welcoming the British Touring Car Championship back next year.”
In addition to the three BTCC races, there was plenty more racing action throughout the weekend with a further seven races from Ginetta G50, Ginetta Junior, Porsche Carrera, Renault Clio and Formula Renault.
ENDS
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