Croft Circuit is preparing to welcome the UK’s leading motor sport series later this month, as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship speeds into North Yorkshire on 23/24 June – with local stars to the fore.

The BTCC is the biggest deal on the national racing scene, with 32 of the most talented drivers in the country taking to the wheel of cars that would not look out-of-place doing the weekly supermarket shop – albeit with a few more galloping horses underneath the bonnet.

These flame-spitting, 160mph monsters produce spectacular action wherever they go, and you can be assured that when the BTCC rolls into town, drama, entertainment and thrills ‘n’ spills are never far behind, particularly in a season as close and competitive as 2018 is turning out to be.

As the flagship event on Croft’s annual sporting calendar, the BTCC always draws a huge and enthusiastic crowd to the popular venue located just outside of Darlington, and they are richly rewarded with head-turning doorhandle-to-doorhandle duels from lights-out to chequered flag.

The Pride of Yorkshire will be well-represented on the grid, with four locally-born chargers all firmly in contention at the sharp end of the field. Vauxhall young gun Senna Proctor (Driffield) claimed his breakthrough victory in the 2018 curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch, while Honda new boy Dan Cammish (Leeds) arrived in the BTCC with an impressive reputation and has thus far lived up to that billing and then some.

Former championship runner-up Sam Tordoff (Bradford) has rejoined the fray this season in a Ford Focus RS, and a front row start and three consecutive fourth-place finishes at Thruxton suggest he will be a force to be reckoned with on home turf. An even more recent returnee is Daniel Lloyd (Huddersfield), who qualified second the last time he raced at Croft so will certainly be one to watch as he takes to the track in the potent Honda Civic Type R.

Indeed, with one-eighth of the field hailing from ‘God’s Own County’, Yorkshire currently boasts more BTCC drivers than any other area of the country – all the more reason to come along to Croft on 23/24 June to cheer the locals on.

A raft of support series will add to the appeal, from the Ginetta Junior Championship for precociously gifted 14-to-17-years-olds to the Renault UK Clio Cup for tomorrow’s touring car heroes, the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup and the F4 British Championship, where fans may just spot a future Formula 1 driver or two.

Better still, Croft’s popular open-paddock policy means spectators can get up close and personal with the stars of the show, while Sunday morning’s traditional Pit-Lane Walkabout offers the opportunity to snap some selfies and add to autograph books.

“The BTCC is a major draw wherever it goes, and the series’ annual visit to Croft is the only chance for fans in this part of the country to enjoy a taste of its high-octane thrills, so this really is an event not to be missed,” enthused Circuit Manager, Tracey Morley. “Better still, with such a high chance of ‘home’ success, our four-strong local contingent are sure to receive rapturous support.

“The drivers are unanimous in their appreciation for the challenge that Croft presents, as one of the most technically demanding circuits on the calendar – and it is that same layout that generates fantastic racing and irresistible action. It really is a fantastic event for the whole family to enjoy.”

Advance tickets are available until 14 June, priced at just £11 for Saturday, 23 June (BTCC Qualifying), £24 for Sunday, 24 June (BTCC Race Day) or £33 for the full weekend. Tickets purchased after 14 June or on the gate will cost slightly more. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge.

For further information or to book tickets, please visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc or call 01325 721815.