THE countdown has begun! There is less than a fortnight to go before the Croft race circuit near Darlington plays host to Britain's biggest and most exciting motor racing spectacle - the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday, July 17.

The event, one of the north east region's biggest sporting weekends, will be shown live on ITV1.

Already the BTCC has announced its first-ever city street spectacular to be staged along Newcastle Gateshead's Quayside next Thursday.

The special demonstration will promote the Croft race weekend and let a new audience get up close and personal with the star drivers and their cars.

One of the favourites will be local hero Jason Plato. The SEAT Sport UK driver, with his north east roots, always loves returning to race at Croft and will be hoping for a repeat of his two wins in 2004 as he fights to win this year's BTCC title.

But Plato has a major battle on his hands. Although he won in the latest round at Oulton Park, the SEAT star still trails Team Halfords Honda drivers Matt Neal and Evesham-born Dan Eaves and Vauxhall's Yvan - Plato's arch rival for the past five years.

BTCC series director Alan Gow says Croft is high on the BTCC drivers' list of top tracks.

"Croft is always a favourite venue for our championship and never fails to draw one of the largest, most enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowds of the year," he anticipated.

"Its location, not far off the A1, makes it easily accessible to many thousands of people from what is a very large surrounding catchment area.

"The north east has a fantastic motor sport venue at Croft, which offers spectators excellent viewing. The lay-out is also one of the most challenging the BTCC drivers race on, meaning plenty of close action for the crowds to enjoy."