Giovanardi re-joins the grid at last minute

Triple Eight have confirmed Fabrizio Giovanardi will return the grid as an independent entry at Thruxton in car 888 – despite not driving the car since the 2009 finalé at Brands Hatch.

Triple Eight looked set not to return to the grid this year after manufacturer Vauxhall’s withdrawal, but the team confirmed a two car effort at the media day at Brands Hatch last week – and subsequently confirmed 2009 Renault Clio Cup champion Phil Glew would be joining the team.

Triple Eight team boss Ian Harrison has now confirmed to Autosport that Fabrizio Giovanardi will drive the second Triple Eight Vectra:
“I’m delighted to have Fabrizio back in the team, he’s an absolute class act, as we’ve found out over the last four years.”

“He’s had very little mileage, just three miles going up and down the runway at Turweston Aerodrome on Thursday, but I think he can probably remember which way Thruxton goes.”

“We’re coming at this weekend from the point of view that we haven’t done much running.”

Triple Eight will definitely on the backfoot after having very limited off season testing. The Triple Eight Vectra’s will run with the standard S2000 engine build by Sodemo that they raced in previous seasons, as opposed to the new low cost turbo-charged Swindon units which are installed in former driver Andrew Jordan’s, and Dave Pinkney’s cars.

The deal is for one race only at the moment, but the team are looking into extending the arrangement with the two-time BTCC champion.