Snetterton prepares for night racing

For the first time in the history of Touring Cars, both races will be held after dark, bringing a touch of Le Mans to rounds 15 and 16 of this year's series.

The high-speed Norfolk track is one of the nation's more unforgiving tracks, with the drivers facing an even sterner test under cover of the night.

Reaching speeds of over 140mph around the 1.95 mile circuit, the racers will have to adapt as they travel from well lit areas of the track to those of near darkness.

Series leader Laurent Aiello should have no problems acclimatising to the conditions.

The BTCC rookie won the Le Mans 24 Hours at the first attempt with Porsche in 1998 and returned this year to finish fourth with Audi.

'If my Le Mans experience does give me an advantage I will be quite pleased,' said the Frenchman, who holds a 23 point lead over his rivals for the drivers' title.

'Many of us have experience of endurance racing these days and I think you get used to it pretty quickly.

'I don't know how strong the lights will be at Snetterton, but sometimes these circuits can be just as bright as during the day. The circuit marker boards before corners are also reflective, so there shouldn't really be a problem with people missing their braking points.'

The night race is the brainchild of TOCA Chief Executive and BTCC boss Alan Gow.

'It should be a great spectacle,' he said.

'There is something about running after dark that gets the adrenalin pumping and both TOCA and the circuit have put a lot of effort into ensuring that we create a fantastic atmosphere.

'The only thing we cannot control is the weather, but if we get a fine summer's evening, it will be a great show.'

Despite Aiello's title aspirations, James Thompson has the Frenchman in his sights and the Honda ace has been edging closer in recent weeks.

'I couldn't believe it when all these people were saying that the title battle was as good as over after only ten races,' said the 25-year-old.

'I get paid to win and I don't like coming second, so there's no way I was ever going to give up the chase. It only takes one weekend's results to change the whole complexion of the championship.

'We are right back on the pace now and Laurent knows that if he has a bad weekend, we'll be there to capitalise.'

Reigning champion Rickard Rydell, victorious on five occasions last year, had to wait until round 14 for his first win of 1999.

The Volvo S40 has been quick this season, but too many non-finishes have hampered the Swede's defence of the title.

'It was a great relief to get that first win last weekend,' said Rydell.

'My immediate target is to get as high up the drivers' table as possible - I cannot even begin to think about the title yet. If we can put a good run together and get close, then we'll see.'

Oxford-based Jason Plato has taken just one win so far this year, but his Renault Laguna has been on the podium a further three times.

He knows that he will have to regain the winners enclosure before too long if he is to mount a serious title challenge.

Vauxhall would also like to reproduce the winning form of earlier this year, when Yvan Muller led the field home at Brands Hatch.

John Cleland qualified third at Oulton Park, but was prevented from capitalising after a first corner accident.

Meanwhile, Ford is still searching for its first win of the season, but having monopolised the front row at Brands Hatch back in May, drivers Alain Menu and Anthony Reid have no doubts about the potential of the Mondeo.

With laser shows, fireworks displays, fun fairs, a Ferris wheel, live music, licensed bars, hog roasts and barbecues all helping to create a carnival atmosphere, a bumper crowd is expected at Snetterton.