Photo: PSP Images

Official entry list released featuring 21 cars

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The official entry list has been released for the 2009 MSA British Touring Car Championship. The list features 21 cars and drivers in seven different car makes.
“Of course the current economic climate is also putting our sport through a very tough time, for everyone and at all levels. So it makes the entry of 21 cars, which is only a couple down on last years average grid size, particularly pleasing and impressive,” said series director Alan Gow to BTCC.net.

“I’m immensely proud of every entrant we have this year. There wouldn’t be a single team that didn’t go through a huge effort to put together their BTCC programme. In my book, that already makes them all ‘winners’.”

The only previously unannounced entry in the list is number 63 of Martin Johnson. The 46 year old Brit is going to drive the Vauxhall Astra Coupé Kizilirmak Erkut drove selected races with in the BTCC 2008.

Johnson’s previous experiences are mainly in Renault Clio Cup where he raced from 2000 to 2005. His career started with the Vauxhall Vectra V6 Challenge in 1999.

Number one on the list is Fabrizio Giovanardi for the second year in succession. The Italian could become the first driver since Andy Rouse to win three titles in a row this year.

The majority of the teams are currently at Rockingham for the official media day. A number of news have been and are going to be presented there.

ITV has confirmed that they will continue the live coverage of the championship with Steve Rider and Louise Goodman as presenters, series sponsor HiQ increases its marketing activities and the championship organisers will introduce a limit on the CO2 emission levels from the competing cars.

Stay tuned for more news and pictures from the media day!

Official BTCC 2009 Entry List

#1 Fabrizio Giovanardi
VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
#4 Colin Turkington
Team RAC BMW 320si E90
#5 Matt Neal
VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
#9 Adam Jones
Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon
#10 Tom Chilton
Team Aon Ford Focus ST
#11 Robert Collard
Airwaves BMW BMW 320si
#12 Jonathan Adam
Airwaves BMW BMW 320si
#15 Martyn Bell
Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Motorsport Honda Integra
#17 Harry Vaulkhard
Tempus Sport Chevrolet Lacetti
#18 TBA
Tempus Sport Chevrolet Lacetti
#20 TBA
Team Aon Ford Focus ST
#27 Liam McMillan
Maxtreme SEAT Toledo
#28 Jason Hughes
KWR Sport MG ZS
#29 Paul O’Neill
Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Motorsport Honda Integra
#44 Stephen Jelley
Team RAC BMW 320si
#50 John George
TH Motorsport Racing with JAG Honda Integra
#52 Gordon Shedden
Team Dynamics Honda Civic
#55 Dave Pinkney
Team Dynamics Honda Civic
#63 Martin Johnson
Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe
#77 Andrew Jordan
VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
#85 Dan Eaves
Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon