THE UK's biggest car racing series heads to Croft Circuit this weekend - with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title battle up for grabs.

Seven different drivers have sampled victory in the dozen races so far this season, with five others finishing on the podium, meaning over half of the 29-driver grid have already sampled silverware, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s line-up.

After a dramatic round at Oulton Park, consistent results over the weekend saw the Rich Energy BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R of Josh Cook maintain his lead at the head of the standings. With four wins to his credit so far this season, the Bristolian will be aiming to increase his slender 15-point advantage over second placed Tom Ingram.

Having won the opening round of the season, Ingram, from Coventry, took a double victory last time out in the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com Hyundai i30N to thrust himself firmly back into the mix.

Third in the standings is triple and defending BTCC champion Ash Sutton who is just three points adrift of Ingram. Remarkably, the Bishop’s Stortford driver has yet to win a race this season for the NAPA Racing UK team in his Ford Focus ST but with six podium finishes to his credit, he’ll be looking for his first victory of 2022 at Croft as he goes in search of a fourth crown.

But perhaps the man they will all have to beat is fourth-placed Buckinghamshire-based Ulsterman Colin Turkington who hasn’t acquired the nickname ‘King of Croft’ for no reason. The four-times BTCC champion, who remains with Team BMW in the BMW 330e M Sport, has won no less than 13 times at Croft over his illustrious career, so hopes to bounce back after a nasty crash at Oulton Park.

Kent’s Jake Hill occupies fifth in the standings, but the ROKiT MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport driver hasn’t taken a win since the opening round at Donington Park so will be aiming to rectify that in North Yorkshire next weekend.

Newcastle-born Jason Plato makes his final appearance at his home track following his announcement that he is set to retire at the end of the season. With 97 career victories to his name following an illustrious career over 25 years, the Rich Energy BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R driver will be looking to go out with a bang at Croft.

* Adult admission prices are £17 for Saturday, £35 for Sunday and £43 for a weekend ticket. Prices for 13 to 15-year-olds are priced at £7, £10, and £12 respectively and all accompanied children aged 12 and under go free. Parking and paddock access is free, and limited-edition souvenir programmes are on sale at £5. For further details, visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk or call 01325 721815.