TOCA name next six 'Masters.'

TOCA has announced the next six drivers who will race in the end of season 'BTCC Masters' event at the last round of the 2004 season at Donington Park.

The inclusion of Frank Beila and Frank Sytner lifts the number of past champions confirmed for the race to eight, while Julian Bailey, Jeff Allam, Kelvin Burt and Patrick Watts are also now on the grid for the end of season showdown.

Sytner, the BTCC champion back in 1988, is certainly looking forward to making a comeback, although the SEAT Cupra will be the first front wheel drive car he has raced for over 40 years after making his name in the BTCC in rear wheel drive cars.

"I had another race in France that day but this takes precedence," he said. "What a fantastic opportunity for a comeback at 60! It's a race of egos and reputations and it will be fascinating to see if racing all sorts of big, powerful historic cars these past ten years has made me any quicker or slower. The last time I raced a front-wheel-drive car was a Mini in 1962 so I'm very much a rank outsider which is an ideal position to be in.

"Is there a driver I want to beat in particular? No, but I'd like a good race with John Cleland - we had some exciting races together in the late Eighties and early Nineties and although there was needle then there isn't now. Then again, when the race starts ..."

Biela, the 1996 champion drove one of the most successful cars in the BTCC when he won the title with the 4WD Audi A4. He is looking forward to a break from his DTM duties.

"When I heard about this race I thought 'great idea'," he said. "Then I got the 'phone call from Alan Gow and said 'yes' straight away. It will be great to see some of the old faces again and catch up on old times. We will all go into this thinking it's more about fun, but I'm sure that very suddenly it will become very competitive for everyone!"

While John Cleland outlined his desire to beat all comers when speaking to Crash.net at Knockhill recently, it appears that he is the target for a number of other drivers.

Former Vauxhall teammate Jeff Allam says he will happily finish 17th of the 18 runners - as long as the Scot is the man behind him.

"I've been a touring car driver all my life so this is a very special race to me," he said. "If there's one driver I want to beat it's John Cleland - he was my team-mate at Vauxhall and we had some great times and great races together.

"I'm not bothered where I finish so long as it's in front of him - it will be great competing with him again. In fact, the whole grid is going to be full of fantastic drivers and I'm sure there will be a massive crowd - they are likely going to see the BTCC title decided that day, plus this race. What an event it will be."

While others have the desire to win the race as egos are put on the line, former Toyota driver Julian Bailey says he is happy to be taking part and will be out to have fun.

"It's a great race and there's no way I could turn it down so ultimately I'm doing this for fun," he said. "During my BTCC years I definitely had an inferior car to the rest, but this time we'll be on equal footing which should be interesting. I've not raced for a while and might be a bit rusty, but I think I'll do well. I was better than that lot any way."

Patrick Watts never won a race during his time in the BTCC with Mazda and Peugeot. He believes he can put that fact right at Donington, but warns he won't necessarily use the same racing lines to the rest of the field.

"I never won a race in the BTCC, but then I never had the car," he said. "Besides, I didn't want the publicity. This time we're in equal cars so it's my big chance. I've been doing a bit of rallying and have learnt a few techniques that will help me win.

"I have a special line planned for the Craner Curves on the first lap - from the first bit across to Schwanz Curve it's a straight line and figure if I can drive a rally car sideways on gravel, then a bit of grass will be easy. Photographers are advised to stand well back."

Despite a one off drive with GA Motosports this season in the Vauxhall Astra, Kelvin Burt hasn't raced a great deal in 2005. He is determined to make his mark.

"It will be great to go back to racing some of my old adversaries," he said. "I've not been doing as much racing as I'd like recently so what an event to make a mark. We've all got pride and I certainly don't want to finish at the back. Fans of the BTCC new and old will flock to see this - it's going to be a fantastic race.

"At first I thought it might be a Jason Plato benefit - after all, he drives for SEAT's BTCC team so might have a few inside tips - but having thought about it I think he is beatable. He'll find it a lot harder than he thinks."