Vauxhall take title fight to Scotland
With three victories from the last four races, VX Racing are looking to keep up the team’s momentum this weekend at Knockhill in Scotland. Both Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal are firmly in the championship hunt, with both drivers vying for their third BTCC title, the trip north of the border could be crucial to their hopes of success.
Reigning champion Giovanardi was buoyed by a double victory last time out at Snetterton, but teammate Neal struggled to be on the pace during the first two races in Norfolk, and hasn’t won a race since the opening round of the championship back in April at Brands Hatch.
The ’05 and ’06 BTCC champion is confident that he’ll be back at the front in Scotland however.
“We didn’t have a good start to the Snetterton weekend but ended on a positive note, so if we can carry this through the Knockhill round we’ll be in the thick of it and taking points.
“Knockhill is a great location for a BTCC round as it is such a different track to all the others which we race on. It’s tight and twisty with plenty of elevation changes. It’ll be the usual adversaries vying for the front and I expect to be there.”
With the Vectras going better in bad weather, and Knockhill often the scene of wet races, Giovanardi is looking forward to his trip to Scotland.
“I’m sure we can win again this weekend, but it would help if the weather was bad, as we know we’re strong in these conditions. Knockhill is a very unique and special circuit, it’s very narrow and a cross between a rally and a road circuit at times, which makes it very challenging.”
For the Italian, the fact that he currently doesn’t lead the championship isn’t a problem, with Giovanardi warning his rivals he’s in no mood to handover the silverware without a fight.
“The title is still a four way fight with Colin (Turkington), Matt, Jason (Plato) and myself all very evenly matched. I don’t mind that I’m not currently leading the championship; I just need to be leading it when we reach the last round. Colin might think he has the upper hand but I’m not about to give up my title this season.”
The third VX Racing Vectra may be out of the championship hunt, but Andrew Jordan hopes to convert his qualifying pace into race podiums, starting at a track he has gone well on before.
“I really like the Knockhill circuit as it’s the sort of track that you really have to be on the edge with the car to be quick there. I think we will be fast, although I’m sure the BMW’s will be good through the hairpin and up the hill, but I’m confident the Vauxhall will also work well. I had some good results at Knockhill last season including a podium, so I’ll certainly be aiming to repeat this level of performance.”
For Scottish BTCC fans there will also be an extra chance to see Giovanardi and Jordan in action north of the border, at the Dunlop British Touring Car Festival in Edinburgh. Held this Thursday (13th August), spectators will get to see some of the stars and cars of the BTCC in action during a demonstration run along Johnston Terrace, in front of the famous backdrop of the city’s castle.
