BTCC: VX Racing Brands Hatch race two notes

Success for VX Racing's Fabrizio Giovanardi

Vauxhall's Fabrizio Giovanardi rose above the rain-induced chaos in today's second Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch, leading from start to finish for his second win of the day.

The safety car was deployed twice during the eventful race as cars fell foul of the treacherous conditions. VX Racing's Tom Chilton was one of the victims as he fought with Jason Plato for second place.

Chilton was all but past the championship leader's car when Plato turned in on the 22-year-old, leaving him nowhere to go but into the barriers and out of the race.

Giovanardi was never under pressure during for the 27-lap race and finished nine seconds ahead of Plato, closing the gap for the championship lead to just six points.

The last race at Brands Hatch will start today at 15.40.

Fabrizio Giovanardi #5
"I'm happy despite Plato being second yet again. I got the maximum out of the car and I can't do better than to keep scoring victories."

Tom Chilton #7
"I got a really good start and was actually catching Fabrizio under braking. I was running in third and I was three-quarters past Plato coming into Surtees and then he just turned into me and spun me off."

Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager
"I'd say that Tom was through into second and we were just surprised to see Jason Plato tag the rear of Tom's car. It certainly wasn't 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' as Plato claims.

"I think Tom had caught him by surprise and, low and behold, a traditional Jason Plato racing incident ensued. After that, I think the rest of the field decided they didn't have the budget to put up a fight, so Plato finished second again."

BTCC Provisional Round 23 Race Result 1. Fabrizio Giovanardi (Vauxhall Vectra)
2. Jason Plato (SEAT Leon)
3. Gordon Shedden (Honda Civic)
4. Mat Jackson (BMW 320si)
5. Mike Jordan (Honda Integra)
6. Adam Jones (SEAT Toledo)
7. Gavin Smith (SEAT Leon)
8. Jason Hughes (MG ZS)
DNF Tom Chilton (Vauxhall Vectra)

-credit: vx racing