Rounds 4,5 and 6 of the British Touring Car Championship takes place at Thruxton, the UK's fastest circuit this weekend. We also see the welcome return of 2002 and 2004 BTCC Champion, James Thompson and 2008 Championship runner-up, Matt Jackson.

BTCC race winner, Paul O'Neill (aka Mel C's brother) also makes a very welcome return to the series in a Honda Integra..

Thompson, who campaigned a Honda Accord in last years World Touring Car Championship, joins Team Dynamics and will be running in the Honda Civic, vacated by Gordon Shedden.

It is hoped Shedden will return later in the season if funding can be found.

Brand Hatch winner Jason Plato has just confirmed he will partake in the complete BTCC series having originally entered as a one-off at Brands.

The now famous slide and Race 3 win has enabled Plato to sign Auto Windscreen's and old SEAT Sport UK sponsor, Silverline tools. Expect a new livery this weekend.

Plato will be joined in the RML Team by Matt Jackson. Matt was stunning last year and is one of the up and coming drivers, so it was a real shame funding stopped him running his family run BMW 320si at Brands. He's back with RML in a second Chevrolet Lacetti for now.

These GM cars could well prove a problem for the works Vauxhall (GM) cars during the season.

Unfortunately, Vauxhall has announced it will be leaving the BTCC at the end of the season. One of the biggest supporters of the series, Vauxhall has competed in the BTCC for 20 years! 888 Engineering, who run the team for Vauxhall have not announced future brands.

Despite the lack of works entries, the series has one of the most competitive line-ups of recent history. Four past champions, Eleven former race winners and a number of others all hoping to get on the top step of the podium in the three races on Sunday.

ITV4 will broadcast over six hours of live coverage in the UK, including a number of support races. Oh, how I miss British Television….

-Andy Blackmore

Images: Jonathan Moore, PSP-Images.co.uk, BTCC