Nissan one-two in sprint

they duly converted it into a 1-2 finish.
Laurent Aiello won his first race
in the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship, leading home his
Nissan Primera team-mate, David Leslie.

Third went to Volvo S40 driver Rickard Rydell, the reigning champion
holding off a strong last-lap challenge from Matt Neal in his Independent
Nissan Primera.

Leslie started from pole position and led Aiello away, while Rydell managed
to squeeze down the inside of Neal into Copse. Neal immediately came under
pressure from the Honda Accord of James Thompson, and spent the next few
laps with the Honda virtually attached to his rear bumper.

Leslie's lead was short-lived; he locked the front wheels into Abbey on the
opening laps, blaming cold tyres, and Aiello quickly made the most of the
opportunity to go through on the inside.

There was a lot of close racing, but virtually no overtaking - the top
seven remained unchanged throughout the race. After a few laps Thompson
fell back from Neal, and the top six appeared set, with the Renault Laguna
of Jason Plato unable to catch Thompson.

But Neal made a late charge and caught Rydell on the final lap. He
forced his way down the inside into Abbey on the last lap, but Rydell
refused to back off.

The pair raced side-by-side all the way through
Bridge and Priory, until Neal had to give ground into Brooklands, and
Rydell's podium finish was secure.

After the race both Rydell and Neal paid tribute to each other for a fine
piece of racing, Rydell explaining that some other drivers may well have
forced him off the road. But the laurels went to Aiello, victory in only
his third BTCC race.

"Donington was a difficult start to the year, especiallly when we knew we
had a good car," explained Aiello.

"We had to stay concentrated, and we
found a good set-up on Friday. I wasn't looking to score a win this early
in the championship, so I'm very happy."

In the Michelin Cup for Independents, Matt Neal was once again the runaway
winner, in fourth overall. Only one other Independent finished, with Mark
Blair bringing his Vauxhall Vectra home in twelfth.

Ps.Ql.No. Driver/Nat Ind Car Laps Notes

-- -- ---- ------------------------------------------------ ----- -------

1 2 23 Laurent Aiello (F) Nissan Primera GT 15

2 1 6 David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera GT 15 +1.7s

3 4 1 Rickard Rydell (S) Volvo S40 15 +8.2s

4 3 77 Matt Neal (GB) I Nissan Primera GT 15 +8.5s

5 5 3 James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 15 +9.3s