Watch out BTCC....the North boys are coming.

FOR many years, we Northern folk haven't really had that much to shout about in the world of motorsport, particularly that of the four-wheel variety.

Short of two-times BTCC champ James Thompson from Harrogate, Rally star Guy Wilks, Wearside's Warren Hughes - who, incidentally, should have been in F1 and in my opinion, was one of the best drivers to come out of UK during the 90s - and Jason Plato, who grew up in Toon before his family whisked him back down south, we've never really had that much to crow about.

But things are set to change.....

Enter Harry Vaulkhard and those crazy guys at Robertshaw Racing, who between them are set to take on the BTCC in style in 2008.

Fielding the stunning former factory Chevrolet Lancetti used in this year's WTCC title scrap, Harry is heading up the outfit's ever-expanding squad in 08, which is set to include another driver.

For Vaulkhard, this has to be a chance of a lifetime. The reigning SEAT Cupra R champ had hoped to make the progression to larger tintops in 08, and it's fair to say the offers had begun to fly in for the 22-year-old.

"After winning the series this year, I knew that whichever way I turned, whatever step I made, it was going to be perhaps the most important of my career to date," he said.

"I have always dreamed about racing BTCC, what driver hasn't? It's regarded as one of the hardest Touring Car championships in the world and is very highliy respected, so it's pretty fair to say it was ultimately what I was hoping to do.

"Not only was it a bit of a dream to me, it was also the next logical step. Yeah, I did have a few other offers on the table but to me, this really is the only way to progress."

It seems there is no stopping the lads at Robertshaw Racing. Headed by team principal and former driver Gary Robertshaw, the squad is managed by Joe Bradley, a highly entertaining and likeable chap who has been kicking about the North motorsport scene for years - even though he isn't really that old.

And not content with just sending out the Chevies, the team will continue to run Alan 'Big Mussel' Taylor in his Honda Integra, and are sticking Scots ace Michael Doyle in a Honda Civic, bringing their total of cars on the BTCC grid to four.

But that won't be enough for them - they are continuing to field motors in the Renault Clio series, and Joe has been heard mumbling about Minis again as well.

I can't imagine what could possibly be next for Robertshaw Racing, and I can only guess they'll need an awning the size of a Big Top to house all of these cars, but fair play to them, they're giving it their all and deserve whatever success comes their way.

Now, if I can just talk them around to expanding into motorbike racing.....

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