BTCC gallery

Ready, steady, go!

Drivers: Jason Plato, Darren Turner, Car: SEAT Leon TDI S2000

Expect the brand to challenge Vauxhall for race victories and the title. Using the same diesel as the WTCC cars should give the Leon a straight-line performance advantage, while 2001 champ Plato will want to improve on his 2007 runner-up spot. In his second season, Le Mans winner Turner should have strong pace.

Drivers: Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal, Tom Onslow-Cole, Car: Vauxhall Vectra S2000

On paper, the team to beat. The Vectra won last year, while Giovanardi will be keen to defend his drivers’ crown. Neal rejoins Vauxhall after six years away with his own Team Dynamics squad; Onslow-Cole aims to build on a promising 2007.

Drivers: Colin Turkington, Stephen Jelley, Car: BMW 320si S2000

after struggling with the BMW initially in 2007, the squad found its feet and won three races. Turkington is a serious title contender, while F3 star Jelley has been fast in testing.

Drivers: Gordon Shedden, Tom Chilton, Car: Honda Civic S2000

Civic was another car to debut last season. Team Halfords has lost its leader, Matt Neal, but Gordon Shedden is sure to step up to the mark. Chilton must add consistency to his speed.

Drivers: Mat Jackson, Car: BMW 320si S2000

Expect this family-run team to spring a few surprises. Jackson was fastest in Rockingham and Brands Hatch tests, and has secured increased sponsorship and a full-time pit crew.

Drivers: Steven Kane, Rob Collard , Car: BMW 320si S2000

Third BMW team could challenge for podiums despite limited experience. Former F3 and GT racer Jane is quick, while Collard will want to add to his two wins on his BTCC return.

Driver: Adam Jones, Car: Seat Leon S2000

Jones put in spirited drives in debut season last year, and claimed a podium. But delays at factory mean new Leon won’t arrive until just before the first race, limiting testing time.

Drivers: Harry Vaulkhard, Matt Allison, Car Chevrolet Lacetti S2000

Lacetti will be new to UK audiences, although limited testing could hamper it early on. Vaulkard moves up from SEAT single-make championship; Allison was quick last season.

Driver: John George, Car: Honda Integra BTC

Cornishman George starts his second season with Matt Neal’s old Honda Integra, and his team will want to build on the points finishes and pole position it achieved in 2007.

Drivers: Darelle Wilson, Matthew Gore, Car: Alfa Romeo 159 S2000

Run by ex-England footballers John Barnes and Les Ferdinand, squad has two 2007 Alfas. Jamaica-based Gore has never raced in Europe, but Wilson, 19, was fast in lower formulae

Driver: Jason Hughes, Car: MG ZS/Honda Integra BTC

Go-kart track owner Hughes will use trusty ZS for first round, before switching to a more competitive Honda in his efforts to improve on a championship best of 13th in 2005.

Driver: Alan Taylor, Car: Honda Integra BTC

in his second season, Alan Taylor will again use a Honda prepared by the team behind the Chevrolet Lacettis. In 2007, he bagged a point at Knockhill – his first outing in the Integra.

Drivers: Stuart Oliver, Chris Stockton, Car: Lexus IS200 S2000

Privately entered Lexus has been developed on a limited budget, so may struggle. Multiple truck racing champ Oliver makes car debut, while Stockton enters his second full year.

Drivers: Mike Jordan, Andrew Jordan, Car: Honda Integra BTC

The squad has grown to accommodate a father and son pairing. Dad Mike will want to regain race-winning form of 2006. Former rallycross champ Andrew has set fast times in testing.

Driver: Michael Doyle, Car: Honda Civic Type R BTC

Young Scot Doyle is stepping up after a successful career in karting and the Renault Clio Cup. But a pre-season engine rebuild has reduced testing time, so he may be slow early on.

Drivers: Martyn Bell, Erkut Kizilirmak, Car: Vauxhall Astra Sport Coupé BTC

Expanded Arkas line-up now comprises former BMW driver Martyn Bell and 2005 Turkish tin-top champ Kizilirmak – although ageing Astra will be outpaced by newer S2000 cars.