Menu confirmed by Vauxhall
As we reported earlier: Double champion Alain Menu will race a third factory-prepared Vauxhall Vectra in Thruxton’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Finals Day event on Sunday 14 October. Swiss Menu, who has today been testing his Vectra at Donington Park (see above & Fans section image gallery) will partner title protagonist Fabrizio Giovanardi and Tom Chilton for the season finale.
His role will be to help Vauxhall’s bid for a clean sweep of BTCC titles. The UK make is eager to regain its Manufacturers’ crown from arch rival SEAT and leads the way going into Thruxton’s title-decider. However, it has some catching up to do if its VX Racing squad is to overcome SEAT Sport UK in the Teams’ championship.
Giovanardi, of course, is hoping to come out on top of his Drivers’ title fight against SEAT’s Jason Plato.
“I’m in a great position to help the team guard their points now,” said Menu. “I’m going to put all my experience and know-how into practice.”
Menu has not raced in the BTCC since winning the 2000 title for Ford to add to his 1997 crown with Renault. His wins tally of 36 in eight seasons from 1992-2000 is the third highest of any driver in the BTCC. Three of those came at Thruxton.
Nowadays he competes for Chevrolet in the WTCC – the manufacturer is a sister company of Vauxhall under the GM umbrella so his one-off appearance with VXR is a perfect fit.
