Experts tip Giovanardi for title

The experts have spoken: asked who will be crowned Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion in 2007 by the BTCC organisation, a third of paddock insiders have voted for Vauxhall driver Fabrizio Giovanardi.

Three out of nine pundits tipped Italian Giovanardi, with SEAT’s Darren Turner and Team RAC’s Colin Turkington each receiving two nominations. This is what the experts said:

Tim Harvey, 1992 BTCC champion & ITV commentator
“Fabrizio Giovanardi: the team is quietly confident and he will raise his game now he has a competitive car. Also, he now knows the British tracks and how the BTCC is fought out; no more getting mugged at the last corner like Donington last year! In addition, Plato and Turner will take points off each other and if all else fails the front of the Vectra looks like a battering ram and the rear of the SEAT is notoriously fragile!”

Jonathan Gill, Auto Express magazine
“Jason Plato: even though last year the flipping plonker went and let me down. I can’t see Matt retaining his title as the Civic is so late in arriving and the various BMW teams are playing varying degrees of catch-up, too. If VXR’s new Vectra proves fast and durable then Fabrizio has more than enough talent to take the title but that, as the team admits, is a big IF. Thus I’m left with SEAT and, while I really rate Darren, Jason has more experience of the BTCC’s cut ‘n’ thrust.”

Ian Titchmarsh, circuit commentator
“Fabrizio Giovanardi. He has the Knowledge, he knows how to win championships, he knows the circuits, he knows the team, he knows what life is like in the BTCC. He even knows some English which is a shame because I was looking forward to Little Al (co-commentator Alan Hyde) speaking Italian in the pit lane and on the podium.”

Matt James, Motorsport News magazine
“Colin Turkington: despite strong opposition, Team RAC’s BMW will be the strongest car of all. I guess SEAT is everybody’s tip, but the car proved fragile last season and Jason can’t seem to help himself when it comes to getting into trouble. Darren will be Turkington’s strongest challenger. Vauxhall still has to learn about the new Vectra and I can’t see the new Halfords Hondas winning until June, leaving Turkington clear to finally show us his undoubted potential.”

Gemma Briggs, Autosport magazine
“Darren Turner: he’s been tipped by rivals as a dark horse and you can understand why. He certainly had the pace in his selected outings last year, though ill luck and some poor team decisions hampered his progress. The SEAT is the logical car to put your money on in the first few rounds, when Turner will build up a crucial bank of points and come the season end should be properly fighting Plato for the title.”

Alan Hyde, pit lane commentator
“Darren Turner: an astonishing debut year in 2006, admittedly with its fair share of downers, but ever the quick and consummate professional he coped supremely, not only with learning a new discipline but also with not having a set of wheels to call his own. No pressure, Daz… first full year of BTCC, former champion as team-mate, well developed car… Turner – 2007 champion.”

Ben Edwards, ITV commentator
“Colin Turkington: SEAT’s continuity of drivers and cars should give it an early advantage, but what about the new arrivals? Vauxhall is in combative mood, its Vectra has been fast and the drivers love it. The Halfords Hondas are fast on paper but need more development, whereas RAC’s BMWs, while also late to be finished, come with a helpful handbook. I think a well-sorted rear-wheel-drive car will work well on our circuits and that Colin is poised to deliver.”

Jakob Ebrey, BTCC photographer
“Fabrizio Giovanardi: In this, a year of change for many teams including his own, his years of top-level race experience will seriously come in to play. The team also really wants to win with this new Vectra, and with the striking front section of the car the rest best get out of the way! The championship is on the up – and with his experience of these rules Fabrizio is the one to win.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director
“Dave Pinkney… because he is the most under-rated superstar of the field and a real class act. He will absolutely wipe the floor with all the youngsters in the championship, ie. any driver under 50. (Note to all readers: Pinkney was also Tim Harvey’s second choice).”