Motorsport: Exciting year ahead at Oulton Park circuit

Jan 10 2008

OULTON PARK, recently voted fans’ favourite circuit in a Bennetts British Superbike poll, has revealed its 2008 calendar, with some of Britain’s most prestigious motorsport championships topping the bill.

Highlights at Oulton Park in 2008 include two visits from the British Superbike Championship in May and July. Last year’s title may have been awarded to Japan’s Ryuichi Kiyonari, but the British riders will be fighting back next season to bring the championship back onto home soil. Watch out for Airwaves Ducati’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Leon Camier, as well as HM Plant Honda’s Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow.

Haslam is particularly excited to be returning to Oulton Park for two demanding rounds: "I love Oulton Park; it is a cracking but challenging circuit that brings the best out in riders" he said. "It is one of my favourite circuits as it takes commitment, courage, speed and skill".

The British Touring Car Championship will also be paying Oulton Park a visit on July 26, and Jason Plato and Matt Neal are two of the leading drivers that will be flying the flag for Britain next year. Plato narrowly missed the 2007 title to Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi., and will be hoping 2008 is the year he can bring it back to home soil. British Touring Cars arrive at Oulton Park on 26 July.

Neal, who recently signed for VX Racing in 2008, is especially looking forward to racing at Oulton Park next season:

"When you speak to people about Oulton Park they usually compare it to the famous Nurburgring in Germany. It is a very challenging circuit and you have to be 100% committed and have total trust in your car," he said. "It’s a high speed circuit in a very picturesque setting. Driving through the woods is really nice. The circuit is not for the faint-hearted though!"

In addition to Britain’s premier championships, Oulton Park will be celebrating the vehicles of yesteryear with several classic car events next season. The Vintage Sports Car Festival will be held at the circuit in June, followed by the Oulton Park Gold Cup over the August bank holiday (24 August). The Gold Cup is one of the highlights of the historic motorsport season, bringing together famous single seater, touring car and sports car machinery from years gone by – including classic Formula One cars.

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, owner of Oulton Park, concludes: "Oulton Park is going from strength to strength, as the 2008 calendar shows. There are many gifted drivers racing in the UK today, and MotorSport Vision strives to bring the best of British talent to Cheshire – on both a national and club level. I’m looking forward to seeing what next season’s racing has in store".

Oulton Park 2008 circuit calendar highlights

* March 22/24 Formula 3 / British GT

* May 3/4/5 British Superbike Championship

* June 14 Vintage Sports Car Festival

* July 18/19/20 British Superbike Championship

* July 26/27 British Touring Car Championship

* August 24/25 Oulton Park Gold Cup

* Tickets for 2008 events at Oulton Park are now on sale. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.motorsportvision.co.uk/calendar.