Golden anniversary entry revealed.

The 50th anniversary British Touring Car Championship will see at least 27 cars on track for the campaign which kicks off at Brands Hatch at the end of the month.

The grid is headlined by three series champions - reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, 2005-06 titlewinner Matt Neal and Jason Plato, who took the crown back in 2001. Giovanardi is joined by Neal in Vauxhall's VX Racing line-up, while Plato continues with SEAT, looking to go one better than his 2007 runners-up result alongside Darren Turner. SEAT will make BTCC history by becoming the first manufacturer to contest the BTCC with diesel-powered engines.

Four other race winners will be on the grid, with Team Halfords' Gordon Shedden, who took four wins en route to third overall, joined by Team RAC's Colin Turkington - a three-time winner last year - Mat Jackson, who stunned with two wins in his debut BTCC season, and Tom Onslow-Cole, who joins Giovanardi and Neal in the VXR fold.

In all, there are 15 teams - two of them new - fielding ten different models of car from seven different manufacturers. Alfa Romeo, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Lexus, SEAT and Vauxhall are all represented, following confirmation that newcomer Team 48 Motorsport will field a pair of Alfa 156s. Motorbase has confirmed that Steven Kane and BTCC returnee Rob Collard will drive its brace of BMW 320sis, while Jason Hughes looks set to switch from his familiar MG - ending the marque's involvement - to a BTC class Honda Integra.

The BTCC's first-ever father and son team - featuring 50-year-old Mike and 18-year-old Andrew Jordan - will campaign similar machinery in the shape of their John Guest Racing Honda Integras, as the reigning British Rallycross champion joins six other newcomers on the grid.

"What a simply fantastic line-up of cars, teams, drivers, sponsors and television coverage we have for this, the 50th year of the BTCC," series director Alan Gow commented, "There is a great buzz about the season ahead, which I predict will be even closer than 2007.

"I believe there will be more winners, more surprises and an even more wide-open title race. And, as we know of more entries that will be joining the championship as the season progresses, our fans are in for a real treat with such a great amount and variety of cars, teams and drivers."

The 50th anniversary BTCC will be backed by new title sponsor HiQ, the fast-fit motoring service using the series to help roll out a UK-wide marketing campaign.

"I would like to thank all the BTCC's partners - in particular our television broadcaster ITV and title sponsor HiQ," Gow continued, "Both are superb to work with and have demonstrated the kind of support that most championships can only dream of. Their enthusiasm and commitment is of direct benefit to everyone connected with the BTCC and, of course, our huge fanbase.

"Above all, I'm tremendously proud of the very strong shape the championship now finds itself in. 2008 is going to be an extremely fitting way in which to celebrate our golden anniversary."

The full entry list is as follows:

1. Fabrizio GiovanardiVX RacingVauxhall VectraM
4. Matt NealVX RacingVauxhall VectraM
5. Colin TurkingtonTeam RACBMW 320siI
7. Mat JacksonBMW Dealer Team UKBMW 320siI
9. Tom ChiltonTeam HalfordsHonda Civic
10. Tom Onslow-ColeVX RacingVauxhall VectraM
11. Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UKSEAT Leon TDiM
12. Darren TurnerSEAT Sport UKSEAT Leon TDiM
15. Martyn BellArkas Racing with Sunshine.co.ukVauxhall AstraI B
16. Harry VaulkhardRobertshaw RacingChevrolet LacettiI
19 Darrell WilsonTeam 48 MotorsportAlfa Romeo 156I
21. Adam JonesTeam AirCoolSEAT Leon TFSiI
24. Steven KaneMotorbase PerformanceBMW 320siI
25. Rob CollardMotorbase PerformanceBMW 320siI
26. Matt AllisonRobertshaw RacingChevrolet LacettiI
28. Jason HughesKartworld RacingHonda IntegraI B
32. Alan TaylorRobertshaw RacingHonda IntegraI B
33. Michael DoyleInTune RacingHonda Civic Type-RI B
42. Stuart OliverBTC RacingLexus IS200I
43. Chris StocktonBTC RacingLexus IS200I
48 Matthew GoreTeam 48 MotorsportAlfa Romeo 156I
50. Stephen JelleyTeam RACBMW 320siI
52. Gordon SheddenTeam HalfordsHonda Civic
55. John GeorgeTH Motorsport Racing with JAGHonda IntegraI B
77. Mike JordanJohn Guest RacingHonda IntegraI B
78. Andrew JordanJohn Guest RacingHonda IntegraI B
90. Erkut KizilirmakArkas Racing with Sunshine.co.ukVauxhall AstraI B

M denotes manufacturer entry, I denotes IndependentB denotes BTC-spec car, all others S2000