So you are probably expecting a full three race report on the 4th round of the HiQ 
MSA British Touring Car Championship which occurred this weekend. However, I was without the television camera shots and timing screens this weekend as I stopped my journalistic duties and hit the circuit myself.
As it is the nearest circuit to me, Oulton Park was the circuit that I had chosen to visit this season to watch this round of the BTCC. So because of this I will be writing this article in diary form, and take you through my day.
It was a boiling hot day and it was all windows open on the drive down to the circuit, in my Renault Laguna with no air conditioning. Sun cream was also in order if I was to avoid looking like a tomato at the end of the day.
When we arrived at the circuit I arrived just in time to catch the first race of the day – the BTCC race 1, which was won by Colin Turkington of Team RAC. The first race I viewed was not from a great view – it was very far infield from the corner Cascades and I had to strain and stretch to see any action.
However after this race I went for a wander and found an empty spot just at the peak of Clay Hill. For those not familiar with the circuit this is a very quick part of the circuit which meant I could get up close and personal with the incredible machines and the deafening roars coming from the engines. The next races I watched from this spot were the Formula Renault, the Porsche Carrera Cup and race 2 of the BTCC.
Race 2 of the BTCC was also won by Colin Turkington. As soon as the race had finished I made a dash towards the Paddock of which I had access to – it was about a 10 minutes walk away from my viewing spot and I wanted to capture a view of a few drivers. After having navigated my way through the crowded paddock I eventually got to the team’s hospitality trucks. After squinting through the team members I eventually saw someone of note – winner of races 1&2 of the BTCC, Colin Turkington! Unfortunately I saw him for just a split second so I couldn’t get a photo – oh well! So mission complete, I took a different way out of the paddock and came across some of the cars that were racing earlier such as the Porsche Carrera Cup. I managed to get a few snaps here which you can view on Sargeant Sports News’ Flickr page, as there is a link to at the bottom of this article.
Once out of the paddock I headed back to a different spot – Druids corner where I watched the Renault Clio Cup where I watched a very exciting crash as one of the cars went into the tyre wall. After this I headed back to my original viewing spot at the top of Clay Hill where I witnessed the final BTCC race of the day, which was won by the Team Dynamics driver James Thompson.
A long day drew to a close as I left at the end of the day. I had enjoyed my experiencebut normal BTCC service will be resumed at the next round at Croft in 2 weeks time.
The Sargeant Sport News Flickr page displaying photos took by myself today can be found if you Click Here.
