Tarquini, runner up in the series last year has been sidelined this season by Honda's withdrawal, and while delighted by the move, expressed concern that he would be somewhat 'rusty': "I return to drive for Alfa Romeo after lots of years and I'm very happy. The car is very competitive at Donnington Park and I know the circuit well after winning there in the past."

Gabriele Tarquini won the 1994 British Touring Car Championship for Alfa Romeo. He then moved up to drive a factory Alfa 155 V6 TI in the 1995 and 1996 DTM series, the last year he drove for the Italian marque. He is expected to retain the seat for the final round at Estoril in two weeks time.

The event started well for the GA Motorsport driver in his chase for third in the championship, putting his Alfa 156 on the Production class pole for the opening sprint race. However in second qualifying his gearbox packed up without him setting a time and he would have to start at the back of the grid for the feature race. His team mates had a better session than usual, Graham Saunders following up a fifth best time for the opening race with third for the feature, while Alan Blencowe claimed fourth and a fifth grid slots.

The sprint race saw Pyper pushed down to second as the field headed for the first bend by championship chasing Norman Simon. However a crash further up the field brought out the safety car, and after a four lap procession, Pyper jumped Simon's BMW on the restart and although the German harried him all the way to the flag, the Scotsman crossed the line 0.4 seconds ahead. The feature race saw Pyper storm through the field to claim third, but it was not enough to dislodge Spenser Marsh from third and the Scotsman ends the series fourth. His team mates had little luck, Blencowe and Saunders, after strong qualifying performances, failed to finish either race.

His task will be to assist Fabrizio Giovanardi and Nicola Larini in their bid to claim the driver's title, their previously huge points lead being seriously eaten into in the last two rounds. Fabrizio Giovanardi currently leads Nordauto team mate Nicola Larini by 10 points with Jorg Muller currently the first of the BMW drivers in third place a further 15 points adrift. 

34-year-old Roberto Colciago has been defending his Swedish Touring Car title. Last year he drove an Audi for the Abt Sportline team in the European Touring Car Championship and last drove an Alfa Romeo back in 1996. On announcing the news, Colciago commented, "I am delighted with the deal, I will be doing my upmost to support the Alfa drivers and hopefully a successful showing may lead to opportunities next year."

The six to take part were Alessandro Balzan, currently leading the series with two rounds remaining, Ronnie Marchetti, Cora de Adamich, Maurizio Campari, Luigi de Luca and C.I.V.T. leader Lorenzo Falessi. All posted consistently quick lap times and aquitted themselves impressively, the Nordauto team pleased at they way they swiftly adapted to the ETC-specification Alfa 156 GTA.

Young driver Fabio Francia won the Super Production category in his Alfa 147, moving up to second in the series, now 12 points behind championship leader BMW-pilot Pigoli, with two rounds remaining. Overall in the C.I.V.T race championship leader Lorenzo Falessi consolidated his championship lead with a second place, while Luigi di Luca took the spoils in the Alfa 147 Cup.

Rounds 17 & 18 of the British Touring Car Series took place on the tight 1.2-mile Brands Hatch "Indy" Circuit. Gavin Pyper, struggling in qualifying with the extra ballast he was carrying, lined his Alfa Romeo 156 in third place for both the sprint and feature races, in both cases edged out by James Kaye's Honda and Norman Simon's BMW.

Two closely fought races saw Norman Simon edge out James Kaye to win both, with Gavin Pyper, although in the thick of the action in both races, forced to settle for the final podium position. Best of his GA Motorsport, Alfa 156-driving team mates was Alan Blencowe who scored a sixth place in the feature race, one up from his seventh in the earlier sprint encounter.

Unusually qualifying for the production class was seperated from the main class and Gavin Pyper, anxious to perform well in front of his home supporters was immediately quick. After setting a class pole time of 57.588 for the sprint race he followed up with a 56.954 for the feature race. His team mates fared less well, Alan Blencowe suffering gearbox problems that saw him line up at the back of the grid for both races.

Conditions for the sprint race were awful, however GA Motorsport found an ideal wet weather set up and Gavin Pyper led the pack away through the spray. He was heavily pressurised by Simon Norman's BMW 320i for most of the race, before the BMW's heater and wipers packed up five laps from the finish and he had to back off.

Pyper followed up his race 1 win with another in the main race. The feature race started behind the safety car in an attempt to clear the track of standing water, and after five laps when the lights went green, Pyper powered away from the production field, the Scotman ending up finishing ahead of several of the main class cars.

Round 6 supported the prestigious Marboro Masters event at Zandvoort. After his unhappy Assen meeting Sandor Van Es was back with a bang, winning by 1.6 seconds from Rory Bertram. With title rivals Zentveldt, Kalff and Bleekemolen finishing down the order, Van Es takes a narrow two point lead into the series' summer break.