General Motors family pulls together for BTCC show down

Vauxhall’s sister-brand, Chevrolet, has offered the services of its star driver and multiple touring car champion Alain Menu to further strengthen the marque’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) challenge next weekend at Thruxton by driving a third VX Racing Vectra.

The team’s lead driver, Fabrizio Giovanardi, is within touching distance of securing his first BTCC driver title, the seventh for the team, and Vauxhall is leading the manufacturer points with three races left to go.

Menu, who currently races for Chevrolet in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), spent nine years competing in Britain, racking up an incredible 36 victories, and knows the circuits as well as any of the current regulars.

“I’m in a great position to help the team guard their points now,” said Menu. “I’m going to put all my experience and know-how into practice.”

Vauxhall is currently three points ahead of SEAT in the manufacturers points with a maximum 91 available at Thruxton. VX Racing is 46 points behind SEAT Sport UK with the same points balance remaining.

The maximum points available to Giovanardi are 52 should he score pole and win all three races, setting the fastest lap in each.

Qualifying will start at 15:10 on Saturday October 13. Sunday’s first race will begin at 11:00 with the second and third coming at 13:10 and 16:20 respectively.