BTCC @ THRUXTON // CONSISTENT NEAL RETAINS SERIES LEAD

If you went back to last season and told Matt Neal that after the first six races of 2009 he would have had five podium finishes, he probably would have laughed at you. But that is exactly how he has begun this years British Touring Car Championship.
 
After the second meeting of the year at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire, Matt came away from rounds four, five and six with a very healthy haul of points and retains the lead in the series.
 
As at Brands Hatch at the beginning of the month, Thruxton saw three different race winners in each of the rounds, Colin Turkington grabbed a great victory in race two while series returnee Matt Jackson took another race three success for RML... [read more]

After the tight confines of the Brands Indy circuit three weeks ago, the BTCC moved on to the flat out sweeps of Thruxton. Certainly not a circuit for the faint hearted and one that not only tests the bravery of the driver but also provides a stern examination of their ability to nurse their tyres even in a short 18 lap sprint.
 
Before the days events unfolded, CTD had the chance for a rare photo call, as with the return of James Thompson, this years series now contains four previous BTCC Champions (below) 

Sunday mornings race one provided a fairly predictable result with the ballast free car of 2009 Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi taking the win with a lights to flag victory. This was Giovanardi's first 2009 win and finally he felt like his defense of the championship had really started.
 
The Italian led away from pole and looked comfortable, keeping his team mate Matt Neal a safe distance behind without punishing his tyres. Neal did briefly latch onto his tail due to a mid race safety car period, but as they crossed the line the No 1 Vauxhall had never really been threatened although the gap between them was only half a second.

Making it a Vauxhall lockout on the podium was young Andrew Jordan who resisted race long pressure from Colin Turkington's BMW.
 
Paul O'Neill (below), who was sensational in qualifying, came home fifth in his first outing in the second Tech Speed Integra.
 
There was no race one joy for Jason Plato, with the RML Cheverolet driver having to pit for fresh rubber mid race after suffering from a heavy vibration.


Race One Result:
01  F Giovanardi       Vauxhall Vectra
02  M Neal               Vauxhall Vectra
03  A Jordan             Vauxhall Vectra
04  C Turkington        BMW 320si
05  P O'Neill              Honda Integra
06  A Jones               Seat Leon
07  S Jelley               BMW 320si
08  M Jackson           Cheverolet Lacetti
09  H Vaulkhard         Cheverolet Lacetti
10  J Plato                 Cheverolet Lacetti
 
The conditions at the Hampshire venue were somewhat different for the second race of the day, as the track temperature had dropped considerably and cloud cover was more prominent much to the relief of the tyre technicians.
 
With Giovanardi now carrying ballast, Colin Turkington (below) pulled off a very classy win, making a great start from the third row and tagging onto the rear of the two Vectras, and then picking off Neal with five laps remaining, before, in a great piece of driving, taking Gio around the mega fast Goodwood on the last lap. Colin latter admitted that he thought the victory was one of the best of his career and with Thruxton being widely regarded as not a good hunting ground for BMW, no one could argue against that.

Stephen Jelley in the second Team RAC WSR BMW fought for fourth place with Andrew Jordan before it all ended in tears, as Jordan spun at Noble on lap eleven only to rejoin down in 18th place. Jelley went on to finish in fourth, his best result to date.
 
Rob Collard (below) in his 320si, put in a majestic drive to come all the way up from 17th to 5th place, even passing both James Thompson and Jason Plato in a single maneuver at Allard corner on the final lap. Plato himself  battled his way up to sixth, dicing with his old adversary Thompson who finished a creditable 7th in his first outing in the Civic for Steve Neal's team.

Paul O'Neill was on for another solid points scoring finish but whilst jousting with Adam Jones and Plato, he suffered a spin and dropped to 10th, which we later learned would Pole for the "Reverse Grid" race three.
 
Race Two Result:
01  C Turkington        BMW 320si
02  F Giovanardi        Vauxhall Vectra
03  M Neal                Vauxhall Vectra
04  S Jelley               BMW 320si
05  R Collard             BMW 320si
06  J Plato                Cheverolet Lacetti
07  J Thompson         Honda Civic      
08  A Jones               Seat Leon
09  M Jackson           Cheverolet Lacetti
10  P O'Neill              Honda Integra
 
So with Paul O'Neill on pole for race three and Matt Jackson in the Lacetti alongside him, the potential for another "Big" story was there.
 
At the start, Jackson got a flyer in contrast to O'Neill who bogged down somewhat allowing Adam Jones (below) through into second. The Honda driver however, was having none of it, soon passing Jones and setting off in pursuit of the Lacetti. O'Neill was reeling Jackson in by up to half a second a lap but the enthralling chase was soon interrupted by a safety car period for an accident that befell John George (below) at Noble.

With just four laps left after the track had been cleared, the restart would be crucial. Jackson got a better run through the chicane and over the line, and eased clear with O'Neill heading for second, however his great drive would come to nothing as his Integra suffered a front left blowout. This promoted Thompson to third, joining Jackson and Jones on the podium. Plato claimed good points in fourth ahead of the BMW's of Collard and Jelley.


Race Three Result:
01 M Jackson
02 A Jones
03 J Thompson
04 J Plato
05 R Collard
06 S Jelley
07 M Neal
08 F Giovanardi
09 C Turkington
10 D Pinkney

So a RML Lacetti wins race three again, could this be a habit?!

Jackson's (below) drive was quality though. It had been over three years since he last raced a front wheel drive car and just like Plato at Brands, this was his first race meeting in the Lacetti. More wins to come?


Championship Positions (after 6 Rounds):
1. Matt Neal 64
2. Colin Turkington 58
3. Fabrizio Giovanardi. 47
4. Robb Collard. 41
5. Jason Plato 36

The series now moves on to the Midlands and Donnington Park. Watch out for more BTCC coverage soon.

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer