The Eurotech-John Guest Racing driver, who finished 13th in this year’s driver’s championship and 6th in the independent driver’s championship, will be managed by father Mike who has taken the decision to step down from racing.

“This is an unbelievable opportunity,” said 19-year old Andrew. “The chance to drive the best Super 2000 car in the BTCC is an awesome chance for me, and I certainly intend to make the absolute most out of it. I can’t quite get over the fact that I’ve gone from Junior Rallycross to a Triple Eight built Vauxhall Vectra in five years.

“It is going to be a very big year for me and I want to do my best for everyone involved. It definitely gives me the chance to win races and my target for the year is to score a race win and really challenge for the Independents’ Trophy.”

Team Principle of Triple Eight, Ian Harrison, said: “It’s great that a young upcoming driver like Andrew has decided on the Vauxhall Vectra for the next stage of his career, and Triple Eight will be giving him as much assistance as we can within the framework of the Independents’ Trophy regulations.”

Mike Jordan, who raced alongside his son in 2008, added: “I knew it was inevitable that I would eventually swap my crash helmet for a headset, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy for the chance that Andrew has got at 19.”

“I’m hugely excited about our programme for 2009 and that John Guest is continuing into a 15th season with us. This is an amazing opportunity for all our commercial partners. On the day we signed the deal with Triple Eight, it was almost exactly five years to the day that we went to collect Andrew’s first competition car, his rallycross Mini. It’s been an incredible journey to get here and I can’t wait to see how this next chapter in his career unfolds.”

Click here for full Round 26 results.

Giovanardi’s win was surrounded in controversy, however, after the Italian twice made contact with SEAT’s Darren Turner, forcing him off the track the second time. Turner would later retire from the race after spinning into the gravel at Brooklands along with Michael Doyle, bringing out the safety car.

The start of the race saw race one winner Jason Plato battling it out with Mat Jackson, the BMW driver briefly heading the pack. As the race went on however, Giovanardi caught the leading duo and survived an incident with Jackson who would eventually finish in 13th with a damaged car. This left Plato leading the race but troubles with tyre wear meant he was struggling and Giovanardi was able to slip by with ease. Plato would eventually finish in seventh place, suffering a huge blow to his championship hopes as he was unable to keep pace with the cars around him.

Colin Turkington came through to second, and first in the Independents class, with Adam Jones completing the podium. The Birmingham-based racer had a close fight with fellow Midlander Matt Neal, the two rubbing bodywork down the straights, with Neal eventually having to settle for fourth.

Steven Kane came alive late in the race to take a thoroughly deserved fifth place finish after having started from 22nd. The Ulsterman headed home the third Vauxhall of Tom Onslow-Cole in sixth, with Plato in seventh.

Gordon Shedden was eighth, Rob Collard ninth and Mike Jordan completed the top ten finishers.

Tom Chilton was a notable non-finisher after the Team Halfords driver was left with nowhere to go as Mat Jackson spun in front of him. The two made contact with Chilton being forced to retire immediately. Stephen Jelley also failed to take the chequered flag when he aggravated an old shoulder injury and couldn’t properly steer the car. He is expected to be able to start the third race of the day.

Click here for full Round 25 Results.

Before the race had even started rain began to fall, forcing all teams to make last-minute changes to wet weather tyres. There was one exception however, as Tom Onslow-Cole took a gamble by staying on slicks. The gamble didn’t pay off however and he finished in 11th place as a result of having to pit for wet tyres.

From the front row of the grid both SEATs made good starts and led in formation for the first half of the race. An early casualty was Steven Kane, who spun out on the second lap, forcing the momentary deployment of the safety car.

As the race went on, the two fastest cars were those of Plato and the hard charging Jackson, who put in another stunning wet weather performance similar to Croft to scythe through the pack after starting 14th. Indeed, Jackson’s fastest lap was almost half a second faster than the next best time of Plato. However despite mounting plenty of pressure on Plato, the BMW driver was unable to get past and Plato went on to score his 46th win of his career, and SEATs 100th BTCC podium.

Darren Turner completed the podium, with Colin Turkington finishing fourth and independent runner-up. The ever-present Fabrizio Giovanardi came home with a fifth-placed finish to ensure that Plato couldn’t make too many inroads into his championship margin. His team-mate Matt Neal followed home in sixth.

Stephen Jelley was able to score his strongest result of the season to date with a seventh placed finish after having earlier qualified impressively in the same position. Another impressive drive came from Adam Jones who was forced to drive back through the pack to eighth having earlier pitted for new tyres. Andrew Jordan scored another points finish with ninth place, whilst Harry Vaulkhard made his second visit to the points this year with a strong tenth placed finish for Robertshaw Racing.

Click here for full Round 25 Results.

“This is a great result for SEAT,” enthused Plato whose Leon TDi tam-mate Darren Turner lines up alongside on the front of the grid. “All I can do is to keep winning and to hope Fabrizio has some bad luck… and starting back there in 11th, he’s in the zone where anything can happen in touring cars.”

Giovanardi was mystified about his lowly qualifying position. “We’ve lost grip and chassis balance,” reported the defending champion. “I’m not worried about starting so far back as long as we can find out where the performance has gone.”

Colin Turkington was the fastest of the Independent drivers, lining up third in his BMW behind the two pace-setting SEATs. The Team RAC ace still harbours his own title hopes and currently holds third place in the overall championship as well as retaining his Independent crown. With his closest title rival Mat Jackson (BMW Dealer Team UK) only qualifying 14th, Turkington will have a great opportunity to extend his advantage.

Steven Kane continued Motorbase’s impressive recent form with the sixth fastest time, while both Stephen Jelley (Team RAC) and Harry Vaulkhard (Robertshaw Racing) qualified seventh and eighth respectively - a career best for all three drivers.

Top ten qualifying times, BTCC Silverstone
1. Jason Plato (GBR), SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon TDi, 1m 00.327s (97.80mph)
2. Darren Turner (GBR). SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon TDi, +0.144s
3. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.286s
4. Tom Onslow-Cole (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra VXR, +0.368s
5. Matt Neal (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra VXR, +0.516s
6. Steven Kane (GBR), Motorbase/BMW 320si, +0.673s
7. Stephen Jelley (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.680s
8. Harry Vaulkhard (GBR), Robertshaw Racing/Chevrolet Lacetti, +0.712s
9. Tom Chilton (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Civic, +0.808s
10. Andrew Jordan (GBR), John Guest Racing/Honda Integra, +0.831s

Source: BTCC.net

With team-mate Darren Turner setting the second fastest lap time, the Leon TDi duo are well placed to post their fifth pole position on the trot when qualifying starts later this afternoon.

“We’ve made some chassis improvements which has reduced the amount of oversteer,” reported Jason after topping the time sheets. “We’re still struggling for grip but the track seems to be coming towards us as it heats up and rubbers in.”

Although keen to gain the bonus point for pole position, Plato is realistic about his chances. “It’s going to be hard to beat Darren as he’s in the same car with 35kgs less ballast,” he said. “It’s always good to be on pole but there’s plenty of space to overtake on this circuit, so it’s not as important as at some venues. What I would really like, though, is a proper race with Fabrizio.”

Giovanardi’s chances of a good grid position seemed to take a reverse step in the second Free Practice session. VX Racing had dominated the first 40-minute period with the Italian setting the third quickest time behing Plato and Vauxhall Vectra team-mate Matt Neal.

“We seem to have lost time but we’re not quite sure why,” admitted Neal who, after an engine change on his car, finished the session in seventh position, one place below Giovanardi.

In the battle for BMW and Independent honours, Colin Turkington (Team RAC) once again pipped arch rival Mat Jackson (BMW Dealer Team UK) - the duelling duo were fourth and fifth on the timesheets behind the two SEATs and Tom Chilton’s Team Halfords Honda Civic.

Source: BTCC.net

Click here to view full Free Practice 1 Times.

The rival SEAT Sport UK team also experienced some engine dramas when Darren Turner’s Leon TDi stopped in a cloud a smoke with a turbo oil leak. There were some smiles in the SEAT camp, though, as title contender Jason Plato was second fastest during the 40-minute session despite reporting a lack of grip.

“Hopefully the track will come towards us as the day heats up and more rubber is laid down,” reported Jason.

Championship leader Fabrizio Giovanardi was third quickest making it two Vauxhalls in the top three positions. Next up were the two BMW drivers who are locked in a duel for top independent honours: Colin Turkington (Team RAC) just pipping arch adversary Mat Jackson (BMW Dealer Team UK) to fourth place.

As predicted the lap times were incredibly close with the fastest 16 drivers covered by less than one second on the short 1.6-mile Silverstone National Circuit.

The teams will have another chance to fine tune their cars in the second Free Practice session at 12:35 before all-important qualifying takes place at 15:00 this afternoon.

Source: www.btcc.net

Leaving the Scottish circuit as the most successful team of the weekend, with four podiums and an impressive total of 55 points to add to their BTCC standings, VX Racing continue to look impressive as the countdown to the end of the 2008 season begins, and Silverstone’s rounds 25, 26, and 27 are fast approaching. Reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi continues to lead the drivers’ standings with 228 points, 41 points ahead of his nearest rival. Team mate Matt Neal currently lies fifth with 152 points. VX Racing rookie Tom Onslow-Cole lies in sixth, just 8 points behind Neal.

Returning to Silverstone for the first time since 2006, VX Racing has a successful history at the Northamptonshire circuit. The Astra Sport Hatch secured three podium successes during the 2006 BTCC round, but this will be the first outing here for the Vectra VXR. Both Neal and Onslow-Cole will make their debuts for VX Racing at Silverstone, although both drivers have already shown winning form at Silverstone in the past.

Qualifying for round 25 of the BTCC will be held on Saturday 30 August at 15.00, with the first of three races starting at 11.20 on Sunday 31 August.

Fabrizio Giovanardi #1

“I know the Silverstone circuit well, and have raced there lots before. Obviously taking the success ballast into consideration, I can only hope for a points finish which will allow me to stay in the lead in the drivers’ championship. I’d like to hold onto my 41 point lead heading into the final rounds at Brands Hatch.”

Matt Neal #4

“The Silverstone National circuit is very short, however, Copse Corner is a particularly challenging part and is the fastest corner on the track so needs careful preparation. It will be good to take the Vectra VXR round the track, it’s proved a very strong circuit for the car in testing. I’d like us to try and secure a strong points score out of the Silverstone weekend.”

Tom Onslow-Cole #10

“I like Silverstone, it’s a fun circuit to drive and I’m looking forward to being there with the VX Racing team. I’m hoping for some more podiums at Silverstone, as I’d really like to add some decent points to our standings, but really the weekend needs to be about consistent and measured performances.”

Source: VX Racing PR

Three out of three race wins at Knockhill in Scotland last time out has given SEAT nine wins so far this season, two more than arch rivals Vauxhall. The pace-setting Leon TDI has gained pole position twice as many times as the Vectra, while Jason Plato has scored an unequalled seven race wins so far this year. He’s aiming to break his own record of nine wins in a single season, but with only six races of the season remaining Jason is 41 points behind Fabrizio Giovanardi on the Drivers’ standings. With a maximum of 100 points still available, the title is not yet decided – although in reality it would need the Italian driver to have a run of non-points scoring races and Jason to score big points to overturn the current Championship standings.

Jason holds the BTCC lap record around the 1.639 mile Silverstone National Circuit – a 1min 00.927secs (96.84mph), which he set in September 2005 in a SEAT Toledo. Despite this, SEAT Sport UK has an uncharacteristically mediocre record at Silverstone, winning just one of the nine BTCC races it has contested there. That honour goes to Luke Hines, who, in 2005, took the chequered flag in 2nd place in his SEAT Toledo, but was later elevated to 1st when race winner Jason Plato was penalised after what was adjudged to have been an over-aggressive overtaking manoeuvre on Tom Chilton. In six BTCC races around the Silverstone National Circuit, Jason has only stood on the podium once, although he did score two 3rd place finishes in 2004 when the BTCC racing took place around the longer International Circuit.

With no BTCC round at Silverstone last year, Darren’s outing with SEAT in 2006 is the only time in 12 years that he has raced on the venue’s National Circuit. He has achieved two pole positions and two race wins so far this season in his Leon TDI, including a dominant victory in the last race at Knockhill. Darren will return from a Bank Holiday weekend jolly in Japan, where he’d honoured a long-standing promise to watch his friend Peter Dumbreck race in the Super GT Championship, to prepare for the Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the BTCC.

Jason Plato: “The Silverstone National Circuit should suit our Leon TDI perfectly and I think we’ll be very strong there. The track only has six corners, two of which are tight and lead on to long straights – and that’s exactly where we can benefit from the extra torque of the turbo-diesel engine. At this stage of the season all we can do is try to qualify on pole, win races and set fastest laps. I’m forty-one points behind Fabrizio and we have nothing to lose. We’ll try to do our very best at Silverstone and put on a good show for the fans. We need Fabrizio to score zero points in the first two races and for me to win both to stand any hope of winning the title. All I can do is try to win races, and that’ll be the aim at Silverstone.”

Darren Turner: “Even though the Silverstone National Circuit isn’t the most challenging compared to some of the other tracks we race at during the season, it’s a lot of fun. Copse is a high speed corner and there are always a lot of shenanigans going on in the complex at the end of the lap. The lap isn’t very long, so it makes it very interesting for the spectators because we lap in under seventy-five seconds and all the cars run close together throughout the race. The BTCC needs the best British circuits on its calendar. I missed Silverstone when it wasn’t on the BTCC calendar last year and I’m really looking forward to going back there this season.”

Scott Dennis, SEAT UK Motorsport Manager: “We have done a tremendous about of hard work this year to develop the Leon TDI for the specific demands of the BTCC, and it’s a great credit to the SEAT Sport UK team and our colleagues in Spain that we are now making such good progress with the car. Our aim is to continue to learn all we can about our diesel package and try and finish the season on a high. I’m pleased that the BTCC is returning to Silverstone after a year’s absence and whilst the layout of the track suggests that it will suit the Leon TDI, we have no data to support this claim and, as we have found at other circuits, finding a good set-up during the two free practice sessions on Saturday will be crucial to our results race day.”

The BTCC race weekend at Silverstone begins with two 40-minute free practice sessions on Saturday 30th August, starting at 10.00 and 12.35, followed by a 30-minute qualifying session starting at 15.00. Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the BTCC take place on Sunday 31st August, with the three 22-lap races around the 1.639 mile National Circuit starting at 11.20, 14.05 and 16.45.

ITV4 will have live and uninterrupted race day TV coverage between 12.30-17.30.

Source: SEAT Sport UK PR

Silverstone, a circuit that was last on the BTCC calendar in 2006, plays host to the penultimate round of the 2008 season and Team RAC will be looking to consolidate its lead in the Independents Trophy.

It is the first time Team RAC has raced its BMWs at Silverstone and the team is full of confidence.  Turkington, who is currently third in the overall Drivers Championship, is feeling positive: “I think we will be very competitive at Silverstone.  Whilst we didn’t get the results we were aiming for at Knockhill we certainly showed the pace of the BMW.

I finished on the podium here twice in 2006 and I’ll be hoping to repeat this success and to reward Team RAC for the great car they’ve given me this season.”

Stephen Jelley, in his debut BTCC season, is looking forward to visiting the Northamptonshire circuit: “I know Silverstone better than anywhere.  I started my racing career here and have driven it hundreds of times.  I can’t wait to try it in a Touring Car.”

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, said: “Having never raced the Team RAC BMWs at Silverstone our challenge is to be the first normally aspirated car on the grid, as the current regulations favour the turbo diesels over the petrol engine cars.”

RAC will continue its season long promotion to win a BMW. Fans can go online at www.teamrac.co.uk for a chance to win a car and a host of other top prizes.

Source: Team RAC PR

“The year started badly because we were on a limited budget,” he told autosport.com. “But Croft was the turning point and if we’d been a bit less conservative then we could have had a podium there, but since then we’ve had Steven’s podium at Snetterton and now Rob.

“It’s very important for us to finish the season on a high and put ourselves in the shop window for next season.” When asked by autosport if he believe that the team could score their a first victory in the BTCC before the end of the year he responded by saying “Yes, absolutely they’re our aim.”

The team stepped into the unknown in 2008 by taking on not only a new car but also new drivers. Steven Kane competed with the team in the 2007 Porsche Carrera Cup but had no previous experience of racing touring cars, whilst Rob Collard was returning to the series following a year out in 2007. Despite some flashes of promise at the start of the year, the team were visibly struggling with the set-up of the cars against competiton that had had more time to develop their race cars. Not only this, but 2008 would mark the first time Collard had ever raced a rear-wheel drive machine.

“To come back into the BTCC at a high level is very hard,” said Collard. “I had a bit of a double whammy at the start of the season; being out for a year and then joining a new team as well as changing to a rear wheel drive car. It’s taken a little bit for me to adapt to the BMW. It’s a bit like your fitness. When you are doing it all the time, you don’t realise how quickly you lose your fitness.

“The team has been very good. We’ve worked very hard with the engineers and Steven is a very good team mate,” said Rob. “Everybody has chipped away at it and we’ve now found a base set-up that works for both of us and the car are progressively getting quicker. We’re now running in the top 10 in race form and I’d like that to be top six. The race pace we’ve had recently has been very good, but qualifying has been a problem and I think that’s where the 30kg we’re having to carry at the moment really hurts us.” The 30kg which Collard refers to is the penalty for running a homologated sequential gearbox rather than a standard h-pattern shift.

When the BTCC returns to Silverstone next weekend for the first time in two years both Motorbase drivers will be hoping to clinch that elusive first win for the team, with Collard and Kane having scored a podium apiece in 2008. Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the 2008 HiQ British Touring Car Championship take place at Silverstone National circuit on the 31 August.