VX Racing set for title showdown at Brands Hatch

VX Racing is set for a tough battle to retain the all three Championships at this weekend’s finale of the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Cars Championship at Brands Hatch. The team and its trio of drivers are in pole position to retain the Team’s Championship with a 58 point lead over nearest rivals Team RAC, and have already mathematically clinched the Manufacturers/ Constructors Championship. However the battle for the Driver’s crown will see VX Racing’s Fabrizio Giovanardi with a fight on his hands to prevent RAC’s Colin Turkington taking the spoils with a 13 point deficit to the BMW driver.

Giovanardi said of his championship battle, “I still believe I can win the championship, I have to, I’m only here to win. The last race at Rockingham didn’t go the way I wanted it to go and it’s left us having to make up a lot of ground at Brands Hatch. Both Colin Turkington and Jason Plato are my biggest rivals now. Colin is the biggest competitor in terms of points, as he has 13 points over me, and with the rear wheel drive BMW, he’ll definitely have the advantage off the line. Jason has the power and performance. The Chevrolet is quick and Jason has the experience of touring cars to be a real threat.

“The strategy for the weekend will be to just take each race as it comes. The practice sessions will be very important as I’ve only driven the GP circuit about 20 years ago and I’m sure many of the other drivers have more experience than me. The weather could also be a big factor, although ideally I’d like it to rain as our car works well in these conditions. I have no influence on that though, it will be whatever it will be!”

Droitwitch racer Matt Neal, who after leading the Championship when the series left Brands Hatch at the beginning of the season, has suffered a torrid second half of the year. Neal is now out of the Championship battle, but vowed to help Fabrizio in their last outing for Vauxhall. Neal added ahead of the weekend, “After a great start to the year, I’ve had some really tough race weekends of late, so I’ll be looking to Brands Hatch to end the season on a high, especially as this is the last race weekend for Vauxhall. Brands Hatch is a fantastic circuit and great for spectators. I’m really pleased we’re back racing on the GP circuit as well, it’s one of the best track layouts in the UK.

“The whole team are hoping for a good weekend, we really want to give Vauxhall a good send off. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Fabrizio to achieve his third straight driver’s title too, it’ll be tough, but I think he can do it.”

After narrowly missing out on his maiden victory at Rockingham two weeks ago, Jordan commented, “I think out of the last few circuits we have visited, the Vauxhall will suit this one the best with the nature of the corners on the Grand Prix layout, and after the boost we had at Rockingham, I’m feeling confident heading into this weekend. I’m going there with the mindset to achieve a win, after leading at Rockingham I’m more determined than ever, but needless to say, I’ll also be there to support Fabrizio in the races.”

The final round at Brands Hatch will also be the last BTCC event for Vauxhall after announcing earlier in the year their intentions to leave the championship at the end of this season. Vauxhall is planning a farewell to the Series, celebrating its last 20 years of competition in BTCC.