BTCC Wins for Shedden, Giovanardi & Onslow-Cole at Snetterton

29 July 2007

Team Halfords' Gordon Shedden, Vauxhall's Fabrizio Giovanardi and, for the first time in his career, Team RAC's Tom Onslow-Cole shared the wins in today's three Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at a hot and sunny Snetterton circuit in Norfolk. Onslow-Cole's victory – which makes him the eighth different winner so far in 2007 – was shown live on ITV1. Notably, though, Giovanardi's victory, plus fifth and third place finishes have enabled him to reduce the gap to series leader, SEAT's Jason Plato from 25 points to just 14 as the title race heads next to the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on Sunday 19 August.

After finishing behind Giovanardi in races one and two with eighth and third places, Plato looked to have his Italian rival beaten in race three, but their cars controversially collided and ran off the track with the Vauxhall driver rejoining a place ahead.

Plato said: "It's been a very frustrating day. I was whacked off the track in race one and had to fight back from 17th, managed a podium in race two and thought I had a chance of winning in race three when I was second, but got tangled up with Fabrizio and Mat Jackson. It was a bit of a crazy moment, but at least I kept going and scored points. That was vital, as I'm still a decent amount in front and Brands Hatch and then Knockhill, two of the SEAT's strongest circuits, are next up. We're still in the stronger position."

Giovanardi, whose race two win put him equal with Plato on six victories so far in 2007, added: "After everything went wrong for us at Donington Park two weeks ago, today things have gone quite well. We finished all three races in front of Plato, took a victory in really good style and now we're back in the sort of position I really like – chasing the leader and putting on the pressure. It's going to be very close between the pair of us now until the end of the season and I'm sure very exciting for the crowds and television viewers."

Vauxhall has more than doubled its lead over SEAT at the top of the Manufacturers' table, although it is the latter's SEAT Sport UK squad that continues to head the Teams' standings, albeit by a reduced margin over VX Racing. Despite a difficult day in his Eurotech Honda, Mike Jordan has held on to his Independents drivers' championship lead, while Team RAC has tightened its grip on the Independents Teams' trophy.

BTCC.net

See series calendar for British Touring Car Championship 2007

Related Story 29.07.2007 - Plato Holds BTCC Lead After Bruising Snetterton Races