TENS of thousands of motorsport fans will descend on the region’s premier racetrack for one of the biggest events in its calendar this weekend.

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is to be held at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, tomorrow and Sunday.

Organisers have promised that, irrespective of the weather, the racing should be a great day out.

However, police have issued warnings to spectators about road closures and possible congestion due to the amount of people attending the circuit.

West Lane, from the A167 to the circuit, will become a oneway road on both mornings.

This one-way system will be reversed in the afternoons in order for spectators to get away smoothly.

Alternative routes for locals will be signposted.

York-born driver James Thompson is racing at his “home” circuit for the first time since 2000 and will be hoping to improve on three wins out of his last six races in his Team Dynamics Honda Civic.

Thirty-five-year-old Thompson said: “Croft is a very personal race track. This is the North-East’s only major car race event of the year so the people are involved in everything.

“The crowds are close to what is happening and they certainly make for one of the loudest and friendliest audiences we race in front of during the season.”

Organisers have advised spectators to allow plenty of time to get to the racetrack.

Admission on Sunday is £26 for adults and free for children aged 15 and under.

Tickets include access to the BTCC race paddock and the specially-organised Pit Lane Walkabout when the public is invited into the pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs, photos and giveaways.

Adding to the entertainment, there will be a further seven races from the supporting Ginetta, Porsche and Renault championships.

■ A full preview of the meeting will appear in the sports section of The Northern Echo tomorrow.