Giovanardi takes Thruxton race 1
Fabrizio Giovanardi has won the first BTCC race of the day at Thruxton, leading from pole while a furious battle for second raged behind
The VX Racing star brought his Vectra home ahead of the ballast-laden SEAT Leon of championship leader Jason Plato, who had started in seventh place. Plato's teammate Darren Turner came home third.
Mike Jordan, racing an older BTC-spec Integra, had looked set to take second place until he suffered a puncture at the end of the race. But he still managed to cross the line in tenth place, picking up a point.
It wasn't plain sailing for Giovanardi, however, as the warning lights for water level began flashing towards the end of the race and he parked up on the grass shortly after taking the flag.
"I'll need a new engine for the next race," said Giovanardi. "But we've done it before. The guys can work miracles."
The Italian, who won two races at the last round at Rockingham, will start the next race from pole position.
CLASSIFIED:
Pos Driver Make Time
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra 21:41.754
2. Jason Plato SEAT Leon + 4.358
3. Darren Turner SEAT Leon + 4.972
4. Colin Turkington BMW 320si E90 + 5.219
5. Matt Neal Honda Civic + 6.426
6. Tom Chilton Vauxhall Vectra + 13.105
7. Matt Allison SEAT Toledo Cupra + 19.455
8. Tom Onslow-Cole BMW 320si E90 + 23.554
9. Eoin Murray Alfa Romeo 156 + 26.844
10. Mike Jordan Honda Integra + 27.129
11. Gareth Howell SEAT Toledo Cupra + 27.309
12. Jason Hughes MG ZS + 32.020
13. Martyn Bell BMW 320i E46 + 49.369
14. Fiona Leggate MG ZS + 49.712
15. Dave Pinkney Alfa Romeo 156 + 52.053
16. Richard Marsh Alfa Romeo 156 + 59.343
17. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall Astra Sport +1:09.521
18. Simon Blanckley Honda Integra + 1 lap
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:
Driver Make On Lap
Rick Kerry BMW 120D 14
John George Honda Integra 13
Chris Stockton Lexus IS200 10
Nick Leason Lexus IS200 6
Gordon Shedden Honda Civic 4
Mat Jackson BMW 320si E90 1
Fastest Lap: Tom Chilton, 1:19.106
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