2000 Touring Car calendar confirmed

It will be the first time the Irish circuit has hosted a round of the BTCC.

The 2000 championship will again be contested over 26 rounds after TOCA confirmed the calendar.

Since a provisional calendar of 28 rounds was announced in July, TOCA has recognised the concerns of teams and manufacturers about the burden of the extra event and additional back-to-back weekends.

To assist in resolving the issue, Thruxton Circuit has graciously agreed to forego one of its traditional two meetings in 2000 to allow TOCA to reduce the schedule.

After the huge success of this year's inaugural night meeting at Snetterton, which will be repeated next July, Silverstone will host the end of season finale under floodlights in September.

With Silverstone's first class facilities and covered grandstands, the customary fickle weather is unlikely to dampen the after-dark festivities.

The first race of the new Millennium will be held on the famous Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch on April 9 in front of BBC Grandstand's live TV cameras.

However, it is the inclusion of Mondello Park and the Silverstone night race that are likely to cause most interest.

'Ideally, we would not have dropped an event to make way for the introduction of Mondello Park,' explained TOCA Chief Executive Alan Gow.

'But I also wanted to take on board the teams' concerns.

'We are extremely grateful to Dennis Carter, the BARC and Thruxton Circuit for making such a magnanimous gesture in agreeing to give up their August meeting.

'I am thrilled that we are able to extend the BTCC's night racing activities by finishing the season under lights at Silverstone.

'July's event at Snetterton was an unqualified hit with both fans and drivers alike and we were committed to repeating that meeting in 2000.

'There is always a great atmosphere at Silverstone for the final meeting, so we felt that a night race was the perfect way to round off the season.

'I know that they will pull out all the stops to make it a very special final event.'

Schedule of events: