Hampshire drivers are in the mood to make it Independents Day in the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship event at Thruxton this bank holiday weekend.

Rob Collard, Gavin Pyper and James Kaye have laid the foundations of a tremendous battle for the Independents Cup, contested by the non-works drivers in the BTCC.

Collard leads in his own Astra Coupe but Pyper, driving for the Thruxton-based GA Motor Sport team, is close behind in a similar car.

Alton's James Kaye, who won the Production Class in 2002, makes up the talented trio behind the wheel of his Synchro Motorsport Honda Civic Type R.

Kaye mopped up at Brands Hatch last time out after Collard and Pyper both suffered mechanical problems - but not after Pyper had put some points on the board with a first-race victory over the Brands Indy circuit.

Collard is widely regarded as one of the fastest privateers in touring car racing. With a bit of better fortune, the man from Eversley might well bring home the bacon.

His former works Astra was red hot on Thruxton testing where Collard outpaced most of the factory runners. He currently has a narrow lead over Pyper in the Independents Cup series and both men have openly declared their intent to win the trophy.

While the independents wage war in the middle of the touring car pack, the works Vauxhalls will do battle with Honda and MG Sports to the fore.

Defending champion James Thompson and Yvan Muller, in the latest Astra Coupes, are facing a real threat from Matt Neal in the new Honda while Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes in the green MG's, are starting to reel them in.

Further down the field another feud exists for Production honours, with Salisbury's Alan Blencowe a central character.

There's a terrific support programme on Monday which includes the Heritage Grand Touring Car Challenge, the Michelin Porsche Carrera Cup and both the UK Formula Ford and Renault championships.

Qualifying is on Sunday with racing on Monday starting at 12.10. Adult admission is £21 with children free. An advance two-day ticket is £27.