Dunlop Festival to return to Combe next year

9:10am Friday 10th October 2008

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Following a fantastic 2008 season, Dunlop Tyres have unveiled plans for the return of their Great & British Motorsport Festivals to Castle Combe in 2009.

The 2009 festivals will be enhanced by an improved TV broadcast package, featuring more in-car action, and a string of Mini birthday parties to celebrate the 50th year of this iconic car.

Fridays will involve a trackday that will allow competitors to give their sponsors a memorable ride (or drive) in the race cars.

Dunlop’s James Bailey stated: “2009 will be a big year for the Dunlop Great and British Festivals, with new championships and guest races expected to join the package and the circuits promoting the racing alongside the Mini 50th birthday parties, which aim to bring new fans through the gates” added Bailey.

This year marked the second championship season of the BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. The production saloon and sportscar championship has grown in size and established itself as a ‘junior touring car’ championship with close racing across three classes.

In 2009 a new format will be introduced, replicating the triple-header sprint race format that has made the Dunlop-supported British Touring Car Championship so popular with fans.

“It is important that we maximise track time, but also ensure that costs are contained,” said Bailey. “Therefore, the 2009 Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup will be compressed into six action-packed weekends at top UK circuits, but with a triple header format spread over two days. It is another BTCC innovation that we are applying to the Cup, following on from the introduction of success ballast which has helped ensure that a diverse range of cars as varied as the Renault Megane and Clio, Seat Leon,Vauxhall Astra and Corsa, VW Lupo, Alfa 147 and Mini have topped the podium in their classes this year.”

Online Great & British promotions and web TV coverage will be available for members of www.dunlopdriversclub.co.uk.

PROVISIONAL CALENDAR: APRIL 18/19 ROCKINGHAM JUNE 6/7 BRANDS HATCH JULY 4/5 DONINGTON PARK JULY 18/19 CASTLE COMBE AUGUST 22/23 CROFT SEPT 12/13 SNETTERTON