RAC test van der Ende

Joining Motorbase at Brands today was Team RAC, and they elected to give Dutchman Ricardo van der Ende a run, and he was reportedly quicker than Stephen Jelley's pole run. I'm not sure lapping quicker than Jelley is much to be excited about; but it's good to see Dick Bennetts considering the options for a third car.

Ricardo won the Formula Ford Festival way back in '99, but had a patchy career since then. his best results have come in the Dutch Samsung BMW 130i cup, finishing runner up in '06 and winning the following season.

Motorbase testing

Tim Harvey was invited by Motorbase to test one of their cars at Brands today; and he was joined by a man who should have been in the BTCC well before now, Jonny Adam. Tomorrow (Weds) they'll give SEAT Eurocup driver James Nash a run, alongside GT and Porsche veteran Michael Caine. Touring Car Times reports Motorbase want to keep both '08 drivers on if possible, so fingers crossed for a third car.

AFM/Kerry/Leason update

Courtesy of Rick Kerry who has kindly been updating fans on the btcc.net forum:

Our plan is to run the car at snetterton the week after silverstone if its all ok and the btcc will let us then i will run at brands...

This year has been soooooo frustrating as parts to upgrade are not off the shelf like the petrols.Ive also had so much going on in my personal life..

But things for me and Nick are looking good for next year so if we can make brands it will only help.

Best wishes to Nick and Rick. And if nothing else bring that grid girl back.

Xero, finally?

That's what Xero insider tbd has posted on the forums. Finally running the Lexus, or just prepping one of the classic BTCC cars at the Silverstone legends parade...

Edit: Yup, it's just an old Cavalier in the parade. Damn rumours.

Dumb "Ask Alan Gow" question of the month - August

This months's award goes to BTCCROX (yes, it's all capitals) for the following:

I remember watching British F3 Highlights from Brands Hatch a few weeks ago, and one driver retired from the race, cus he wasn't gonna score any points. I was just asking, if this would be allowed in the BTCC? If not, what penalties will be handed out to the drivers/teams etc?

Gow's reply is remarkably restrained, considering.

Win, win!

Too stingy to shell out for BTCC tickets? Try the following:

• Metro.co.uk is giving away five pairs of Silverstone weekend tickets
  
• crash.net have two pairs
  
• And the Daily Telegraph have some to give away as well.
  

Good luck!