Oulton master Menu seeking seventh win

but this year's British Touring Car series is still proving as open andcompetitive as ever.

Oulton Park is the venue for rounds 9 & 10 on Bank Holiday Monday, and
Ford's Alain Menu will be especially keen to do well.

Menu was on pole in the last meeting at Brands Hatch, but made too many
mistakes in the race. He has taken six victories at Oulton in the past and
is generally regarded as a circuit specialist.

'I have a great track record at the circuit and enjoy coming here very
much,' he said.

'It's a fast, interesting circuit where every corner is different. You have
to take Fosters and Lodge in second gear, otherwise it's flat-out.'

The Nissans will be favourites for the races, with Aiello looking for win
number five and David Leslie still seeking his first 1999 triumph, but there
are plenty of other potential contenders.

Independent star Matt Neal has been on the leading pace all year, James
Thompson and Jason Plato are still in the thick of the title battle, and
defending champion Rickard Rydell is surely due his first win of the year
soon.

There are also a few wild cards. Vauxhall's Yvan Muller was a surprise
winner at Brands and has been at the front in testing, while Volvo no.2
Vincent Radermecker has embarrassed Rydell on occasions and the Fords of
Anthony Reid and Alain Menu cannot be discounted either.

Aiello may be most people's tip for victory, but the identity of his main
challenger is anyone's guess.