Giovanardi doubles up at Thruxton
Fabrizio Giovanardi has taken victory in race two at Thruxton - his second double-victory in a row
The VX Racing star, who won twice at Rockingham a fortnight ago, had started the race from pole position. He lost out to Colin Turkington on the opening lap, however, and was forced to win back the lead a few laps later.
Giovanardi now lies just one point behind Plato in the hunt for the drivers' title.
The Italian was followed home by reigning champion Matt Neal - who had started the race in fifth place - and Tom Chilton. It was Neal's best result since he took a win at the first round at Brands Hatch.
"I was quite happy sat behind Tom and Fabrizio and I thought I'd bide my time until their tyres went," Neal said. "Tom followed the script but Fabrizio managed to hold on. To finish second is fantastic."
SEAT's Jason Plato had started from the front row but was forced to take a drive-through penalty after a mechanic worked on his car on the grid. Having dropped to the back of the field, he made his way back up to sixth place by the flag.
Plato's teammate Darren Turner was involved in a huge accident with Motorbase Performance driver Matt Allison, putting both into the tyre barriers and out of the race.
The top ten finishers will be reversed, meaning that David Pinkney will start the third and final race of the day on pole in his A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156.
CLASSIFIED:
Pos Driver Car Time
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra 25:41.800
2. Matt Neal Honda Civic + 0.285
3. Tom Chilton Vauxhall Vectra + 4.357
4. Mike Jordan Honda Integra + 7.615
5. Colin Turkington BMW 320si E90 + 8.552
6. Jason Plato SEAT Leon + 9.073
7. Tom Onslow-Cole BMW 320si E90 + 10.241
8. Gordon Shedden Honda Civic + 10.306
9. Jason Hughes MG ZS + 13.445
10. Dave Pinkney Alfa Romeo 156 + 15.630
11. Simon Blanckley Honda Integra + 16.297
12. Fiona Leggate MG ZS + 29.038
13. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch + 32.610
14. Rick Kerry BMW 120D +1:02.748
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:
Driver Car On Lap
Gareth Howell SEAT Toledo Cupra 13
Martyn Bell BMW 320i E46 12
Mat Jackson BMW 320si E90 10
Matt Allison SEAT Toledo Cupra 6
Darren Turner SEAT Leon 6
Eoin Murray Alfa Romeo 156 6
Richard Marsh Alfa Romeo 156 6
Fastest Lap: Fabrizio Giovanardi, 1:19.791
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