THE Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship returns to the picturesque parkland circuit of Oulton Park this weekend for rounds 23 and 24 of the 1999 series.

The Cheshire track hosts the penultimate meeting of the BTCC season and could be the venue for a Drivers' championship shoot-out decider.

With just two meetings of the season remaining, the championship has developed into a fierce two-way battle between Nissan team-mates Laurent Aiello and David Leslie.

For the first time ever the touring car stars will be racing on the Island configuration of the Cheshire venue, extending the distance of a racing lap to 2.36 miles.

The addition of a challenging fourth gear left-hander, a tight hairpin and a tricky chicane, create a more demanding prospect for drivers and a more exciting spectacle for the thousands of fans who flock to the circuit from all over the North-west of England to witness the fast and furious tin-top action.

As the season reaches its conclusion, few would argue that the Nissan Primera has been the car of the year.

With 13 race wins, 11 pole positions and a total of 28 podium finishes, it is little wonder that Nissan was able to secure the prestigious BTCC Manufacturers' title with four races remaining. Having claimed the Team's championship at Knockhill and the Michelin Cup for Independents courtesy of Matt Neal's Dynamics Primera the same weekend, Nissan completed an unprecedented clean sweep of all four titles at Brands Hatch last time out.

It is now mathematically impossible for any driver other than Nissan's works pair to claim the drivers' crown, so the season's finale could well see fireworks flying within the team.

Laurent Aiello currently holds a 22-point lead at the top of the standings and the Frenchman is a red-hot favourite in his maiden BTCC season to add the British title to his German and French honours.

Whatever their relative positions, all the BTCC drivers will be aiming to end the season in the strongest possible fashion. Oulton Park should be a cracking weekend.

EAST Lancashire touring car fans have the opportunity to see one of this year's leading contenders at close quarters.

Accrington-based Ford dealers Greyhound will have a 1999 Ford Mondeo Super Tourer in their showrooms next week.

The distinctive 300bhp machine, identical to the ones driven by team drivers Alain Menu and Anthony Reid, will be on display at Greyhound's Whalley Road premises from September 14-17.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.