Event>>btcc 2009, Donington

After some uncertainty earlier in the month, due to construction work for the 2010 British Grand Prix, the Donington rounds of the British Touring Car Championship took place this past weekend.The series added two new race winners for this season, making 8 winners in 9 races.

Current champion, Fabrizio Giovanardi in his 888 Vauxhall Vectra was initially on pole for the first race of the day, but his times were stripped when the car wouldn't start in scruitneering. The start of a tough weekend for the Italian.

Team mate, Andrew Jordan inherited the premier grid slot ahead of an impressive Harry Vaulkhard in the privateer Chevrolet Lacetti

As you can see from the images, it was a wet weekend which ensured lots of action. Thompson started Round 7 well taking the lead on lap One. Matt Neal joined team mate near the back of the field after he slid off in the wet conditions. Both Vauxhalls moved back up the field quickly.

Thompson extended his lead with Andrew Jordan in hot pursuit. Jordan's team-mates were still battling their way up the field. Neal pushing Giovanardi onto the grass at one point. The Italian far from impressed, after the race. Thompson took the win, from Jordan and Neal. Rob Collard and Harry Vaulkhard in 4th and 5th respectively were very impressive.

The weather improved for Round 8 later in the day, but this didn't matter to James Thompson as he took another victory, the first driver this year to win more than one race. Thompson was very impressive in a car which has received little development this year. 'Tommo' came under pressure from Matt Neal who ended up 2nd and Rob Collard in the Airways BMW 320Si.

Collard was spun around by Andrew Jordan, which later received a fine. Giovanardi was able to sneak through and move up to 4th and later 3rd to take the final podium position behind Neal and race-winner, Thompson.

Harry Vaulkhard (seen above, in Round 7) was on pole position for Round 9. Grid positions for the final race are in reverse order, from a position between 6th-10th in the previous round, drawn from a hat. 10th was drawn and Harry was the lucky boy.

This time the track was damp from earlier showers. Most drivers were on wets, but Paul O'Neill, Adam Jones and James Thompson started with slick fronts. It didn't help the first two, but Thompson would make a late charge through the field as a dry line appeared, some 4 seconds a lap faster than everyone else.

Rob Collard made a fantastic start, into the lead from Vaulkhard. Collard extended his lead while a tight battle behind with Vaulkhard and Collard's team mate Jonathan Adam who ended up spinning out.

It was a very dominant performance by Collard in a car that shouldn't have suited conditions.

Jason Plato and Matt Jackson were battling hard despite being team-mates, swapping positions during the race. As Vaulkard dropped back, he joined the other Lacetti's and Giovanardi's Vectra, all battling for the same piece of track. Vaulkhard nudged Giovanardi around, onto the grass. All three Lacetti's continued and were so busy with each other, they ran wide and Turkington nipped down the inside taking 2nd place. 

Giovanardi had revenge on Vaulkhard, by retaking the youngster for 5th on the last lap behind the two RML Lacetti's. James Thompson, with his slick front tyres passed Vaulkhard on the line for 6th. A couple of more laps and he could have netted a podium. Collard took the chequered flag ahead of Turkington.

Some good news for Team Aon (Arena International). The team have rectified their power delivery problem and also have revised aerodynamics, resulting in the team's first points for Tom Chilton in 9th place, despite this collision with Paul O'Nell in the Honda Integra.

Matt Neal continues to lead the championship from Turkington, Collard, Giovanardi, Plato and Thomspon. Next round is Outlon Park at the end of the month.

- Andy Blackmore

Images: PSP-Images.co.uk, BTCC media

BTCC.net

Touring Car Times.

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5 comments

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1

nice photos

2

Gritty and full of action, touring cars are sweet!

3

Courtsey of Peter Still of PSP Images and some from BTCC media office (I think Jacob Ebrey)

4

Brilliant photos, excellent viewing on TV, just a shame I couldn't be there,

5

Espectaculares fotos, sl2 !

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