Thruxton race 2: Giovanardi again

Vauxhall driver Fabrizio Giovanardi has won the second of today’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car rounds at Thruxton in Hampshire to move within a point of championship leader Jason Plato.

From pole position, Giovanardi set the race’s fastest lap in his Vectra as he made it two wins out of two races. Second, right behind, was reigning champion Matt Neal’s Team Halfords Honda Civic and third Giovanardi’s team-mate Tom Chilton.

SEAT driver Plato, who had to serve a drive-though penalty in the pit lane, finished sixth to just maintain his championship lead heading into the third of this afternoon’s three races.

Plato was aided by a safety car period during the race – required after a spectacular high-speed accident involving his team-mate Darren Turner and Motorbase SEAT driver Matt Allison.

Fourth, making up for his race one disappointment, was Mike Jordan in his Eurotech/John Guest-Speedfit Honda Integra. Colin Turkington, who led the opening laps in his Team RAC BMW320si, faded to fifth just ahead of the fast-closing Plato.

Post-race, Giovanardi drew the top ten to be reversed for race three’s starting grid, meaning A-Tech Alfa Romeo driver Dave Pinkney will line up for it on pole position. Giovanardi will thus start tenth.