HARRY Vaulkhard heads home for the fifth round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship which takes place this weekend at Croft Circuit near Darlington on June 13-14.

Tempus Sport driver Vaulkhard, 23, is Newcastle born and bred so Croft is his local track.

As well as growing up in the area, Vaulkhard has just completed a Transport Design course at Northumbria University, meaning that his work, as well as his sport, is focused on four wheels and an engine.

Croft circuit is an interesting mix. Although offering no gradient change over its 2.1 miles, it has a good range of corners with high speed straights as well as more complex technical sections.

Experience of any circuit is beneficial, and in this respect Vaulkhard has intimate knowledge of the track as he works there as a driving instructor.

Previously, Vaulkhard has held the unofficial Renault Clio lap record when he competed in the winter series, where he qualified on pole for two races by seven tenths as well as winning one race. When he contested the Seat Cupra championship, he finished on the podium twice at Croft.

"Croft is one of my all time favourite circuits and like all the best tracks it offers a bit of everything, some very high speed coupled with middle and low speed technical sections," said Vaulkhard. "I first went round Croft in my dad's old Morgan when I was a young lad. I was at the first BTCC event there in the 90s and me and a friend were helping to push people out of the muddy car park and charging them a few quid til we got stopped by the farmer! I'm well fired up for this weekend and can't wait to be racing in front of my friends and family."

Richard Coleman, Tempus Sport Team Director said: "Croft is Harry's local track and he's had lots of mileage there over the years in many different cars so we're hoping that this will help him.

"Also, he'll have plenty of fans cheering him on so our job is making sure we have the best car we can for him for his home race. Oulton Park last time out was a frustrating race weekend for us, as contact in the first race put us right down the order and we had to fight hard to get towards the front. We're hoping to be nearer the front this weekend."