Vauxhall suffers shunts

Vauxhall’s VX Racing team mechanics have been left with plenty to do following Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship qualifying at Oulton Park after drivers Tom Chilton and Fabrizio Giovanardi both shunted their Astra Sport Hatches.

Chilton suffered by far the heaviest of the two accidents – his car was thrown into the air when it crunched against the barriers at the high-speed Old Hall corner. The impact was registered at 10G.

The 21-year-old from Reigate needed medical treatment for a stiff back. His crash came before he’d set a competitive lap time and means he will start from the back row of the starting grid, in 17th, for the first of tomorrow’s three rounds.

Chilton said: “The track was damp and quite slippery, but we could see more rain was coming so I realised I had to push and get a quick lap in early. But I lost it. I’m pretty disappointed in myself because it’s the first mistake I’ve made in qualifying in four years and the car has been feeling good in practice. Even from the back of the grid, though, I still think I could get a good result.”

Italian Giovanardi, meanwhile, slithered off the track nose first into the barriers at the daunting Druids corner. The time he’d set before his off was ultimately good enough for 14th position on the grid.

Giovanardi told BTCC.net: “I was overtaking Mike Jordan on the inside but my right-hand tyres touched the grass and locked up and I went into the gravel. I only just reached the barriers and the damage isn’t too bad. But it’s frustrating because even in just a few laps I was getting a very good sensation from the car.”