The bumper-bashing stars and battle-dressed cars from Britain’s biggest and best race series are revving up to wow fans at next month’s CarFest North (31 July – 2 August). It will be the first time the tin-top legends from the popular British Touring Car Championship have featured at the fun-fuelled family festivals hosted by Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans… and they are turning out in force.No fewer than ten superfast stars and cars from the 2015 BTCC grid will be renewing their rivalries during four special high speed demonstrations being staged over the action-packed three-day jamboree at Oulton Park, Cheshire. The entry is topped by three former BTCC champions – Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden and Jason Plato – and includes two other proven winners: Adam Morgan and Rob Austin.

“It’s going to be great fun,” confirmed Plato who won twice when the BTCC headlined at Oulton Park last month. Indeed, the 47-year-old is the series’ most successful racer having amassed an unparalleled tally of 92 wins – he’s also a friend of Evans’ having appeared in the recent TGI Friday show as ‘The Stink’ in a homage to Top Gear’s tame racing driver ‘The Stig’.

“Chris has told me lots about these wonderful CarFests that he’s created but I’ve never been able to go before as our race dates have clashed,” continued Plato. “Thankfully that’s not the case this year, so I’m right up for a real blast and a bit of a party. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity for us to promote the BTCC and I’m sure we’ll put on a fabulous show. I really can’t wait...”

As well as providing the CarFest crowds with some epic entertainment on all three days, the BTCC boys will be participating in regular autograph and ‘selfie’ sessions in the paddock over the weekend.

BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 
2015 CARFEST NORTH ENTRIES

Jason Plato (Team BMR / VW CC)
Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing / Honda Civic Type R)
Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing / Honda Civic Type R)
Adam Morgan (WIX Racing / Mercedes A-Class)
Warren Scott (Team BMR / VW CC)
Josh Cook (Power Maxed Racing / Chevrolet Cruze)
TBC (Power Maxed Racing / Chevrolet Cruze)
Tom Ingram (Speedworks Motorsport / Toyota Avensis)
Rob Austin (Exocet Racing / Audi A4)
Derek Palmer (Support Our Paras Racing / Infiniti Q50)

The eagerly awaited BTCC debut will be a major new highlight during what’s already a massive track show running daily at CarFest North. Other notable attractions will include Evans’ own ‘dirty dozen’ collection, fiery dragsters, sideways rally rockets plus ear-piercing F1 cars from past eras.

The cars themselves, of course, are just one of the myriad of magical attractions at CarFest alongside great festival food, acres of mega family activities and amusements plus live music from the likes of Texas, Joss Stone, Seasick Steve, Will Young and Midge Ure.

Weekend tickets are completely sold out but there are a few Friday tickets still available for those who want to catch the BTCC stars on the circuit as well as live performances from the Boomtown Rats, Scouting for Girls and Primal Scream in the evening.

Full details of what’s on and how to buy tickets can be found on the official website at www.carfest.org.