[singlepic=222,250,,,right]VX Racing secured a two-three finish in round seven of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Donington Park today.
Tom Onslow-Cole, who started from pole position, dominated the field throughout the 18-lap race and kept a cool head following a delayed start and two safety car periods. On lap 14, however, the 20-year-old was forced to run wide, enabling SEAT’s Jason Plato and Gordon Shedden in the Honda Civic to pass the VX Racing driver.
Matt Neal continuously worked his way up through the field from sixth on the grid, and after passing his team-mate Onslow-Cole, both teamed-up and overtook Shedden in the same corner.
The reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, starting from eight on the grid, was caught up in a fight for positions, which saw him run wide onto the grass. Following a quick pit stop, the Italian showed outstanding performance by flying through the field to finish in eighth place.
VX Racing secured victory in round eight of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) thanks to a superb drive from the reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi in wet and slippery conditions at Donington Park.
Giovanardi had a great start, climbing from eighth into fifth in his Vectra VXR, and after a brief safety car period, moved right on the tail of the front runners. On lap five, the Italian charged passed the SEAT of Jason Plato to take the lead. The VX Racing driver continued to pull away for the remaining laps to claim his third win of the season.
Matt Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole started from second and third respectively. Running in a strong third place, Neal lost a couple of places before an incident with a Honda Civic send the VX Racing driver into the gravel. Onslow-Cole secured his second podium position of the day, taking home another third place.
VX Racing finished the day with a third successive podium at the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting at Donington Park today, when Tom Onslow-Cole claimed second place in round nine.
The 20-year-old had a great start from seventh and was already running in second place by lap two. Following a great fight with SEAT’s Darren Turner, the young driver kept it cool by not only recording the fastest lap of the race, but also taking home his third podium position of the day.
Reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi narrowly missed out on a third place. The Italian fought with both SEATs throughout the race, eventually settling for a solid fourth place.
VX Racing’s Matt Neal, starting from 15th on the grid, charged through the field and took his rivals one-by-one to finish in a good sixth position, collecting yet more points for the Luton-based manufacturer.
Tom Onslow-Cole on race one #10
“The delayed start and the safety car periods made it harder and got to me in the end unfortunately. I had a good start but pushed a little bit too hard. We still have two more races, the Vectra VXR feels good and I’m ready to attack in the next race.”
Matt Neal on race one #4
“It’s great to get my fourth podium of the season. The race unfolded quite well, we made a few tweaks from qualifying and had really good pace from the start.
“After that it was a matter of keeping out of trouble and I benefited from the incidents ahead.”
Fabrizio Giovanardi on race two #1
“This was a good race and the weather conditions were good for me. I pushed to the maximum and got the win!”
Tom Onslow-Cole on race two #10
“I had another good start which ended with another podium. I’m glad we can be this consistent. It was a tough race though, the track was very slippery!”
Tom Onslow-Cole on race three #10
“I had a really good weekend, the best of the season so I’m really chuffed. I didn’t expect Donington Park in slippery conditions to be this kind to me but I’m not complaining.”
Source: VX Racing PR
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