Win extends Aiello's Championship lead

The Nissan made a good start but alongside him was Rickard Rydell, who moved over to tuck in behind and block the charging Renault of Jason Plato.

They were a hairsbreadth from a collision but somehow Plato swerved to the outside and still managed to beat the Volvo into Paddock.

By lap two it was Aiello, Plato, Rydell, David Leslie in the second Nissan then Alain Menu in his Ford.

At the back Paula Cook tangled with Russell Spence leaving Russell's Renault embedded in the gravel trap at Paddock, the subsequent yellow flags removed one overtaking spot for the rest of the race.

Rydell then suffered technical problems, and after pitting rejoined the race briefly before retiring. Alain Menu was another notable retirement on lap 12.

During the pit stop window, Leslie was held up by Plato, so he pitted early while Plato stayed out to gain a point for leading. When he pitted he briefly stalled and rejoined in fourth behind Leslie and Neal

Anthony Reid, Plato and Yvan Muller were close together and when contact was made Reid's Ford finished up with a flapping door. He was called into the pits, his race effectively over.

The safety car was brought out on lap 40 after Cook abandoned here car on the inside of Graham Hill bend.

At the restart, the field bunched and John Cleland seemed intent on making his mark in his 200th BTCC race by holding up the leaders. However, after a couple of laps he gave way.

Aiello led with Leslie, Neal and Plato battling behind followed by Kox and Thompson.
Vincent Radermecker went at Clearways to cap a rotten weekend for Volvo.

With a third of the season now complete, last year's Le Mans winner Aiello has a healthy lead over Thompson in the Drivers Championship, with Plato third.

Feature Race Results