Huff, ready for the fight

Just 10 years ago, Britain’s World Touring Car star Rob Huff was racing around in go-karts and dreaming of being a professional driver. Now, the 28-year-old is one of the main contenders for victory at his home round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), which takes place at Brands Hatch on 26/27 July.

Unlike his key British rivals, three-time WTCC champion Andy Priaulx and double British Touring Car Champion James Thompson, Huff does not have years of experience in a factory team behind him. His professional career only started in 2004, when he received a prize drive in the BTCC for winning the SEAT Cupra Championship.

When Chevrolet entered the WTCC in 2005 they jumped at the chance to snap up this exciting young talent and he hasn’t disappointed them since. At Valencia last month, Huff took his first race win of 2008 (the third of his career) and he currently lies sixth in the championship.

Despite the intense competition in the WTCC, Huff is aiming his sights firmly on a first title. “The Lacetti is a fantastic race car and in my opinion the Chevrolet team is the best in the WTCC paddock,” he said. “We’re doing a lot of development work with our car, so I think we can be a strong contender for the world title.”

Huff’s career started off in karting in 1992, and he gradually worked his way up through the ranks through talent and perseverance rather than personal wealth. Having competed in events as diverse as the Le Mans 24 Hour kart race and the MG Championship, his big break came when he entered and then won the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2003. This earned him a full-time BTCC drive for 2004, which resulted in two victories in his stunning debut season.

“This year is the toughest year of all, but I wouldn’t be here if I thought we couldn’t do it,” concluded Huff. “I look forward to saying in the future that Chevrolet will be the ones to beat.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Brands Hatch website with adult admission on Sunday 27 July costing £30 at the gate, but only £24 if you book in advance at motorsportvision.co.uk. An online weekend ticket costs £34 while children aged 12 and under go free.

Grandstand seating starts at £5 and the raceday pit walkabout, which opens at 09:00 on Sunday, costs £12. Advance booking is available online and from the ticket hotline on 0870 950 9000 . Advance ticket purchases to watch some of the world’s closest racing close at noon on Wednesday 23 July. For more information and race results to date please visit fiawtcc.com