VX Racing takes title fight to Scotland

The Knockhill race circuit in Scotland, hosts the seventh round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, with VX Racing looking to capitalise on the momentum the team has built after taking three victories from the last four races.

Reigning Drivers’ Champion, Fabrizio Giovanardi, is firmly in the hunt for his third consecutive title following his best race weekend of the season so far, taking two victories and a second place finish at Snetterton last time out. Matt Neal, who led the charge in the opening rounds, now lies third and is also in the thick of the title chase. Andrew Jordan, in his second season of BTCC, heads to Scotland with renewed determination to reach the top step of the podium. The Championship’s youngest driver has shown considerable pace during the first half of the season and expects to translate his qualifying potential into victories.

Fiery Italian Giovanardi, who has taken four wins already this season, is out for more as the race for the Drivers’ Championship heats up, “The title is still a four way fight with Colin (Turkington), Matt, Jason (Plato) and myself all very evenly matched. I don’t mind that I’m not currently leading the championship; I just need to be leading it when we reach the last round. Colin might think he has the upper hand but I’m not about to give up my title this season.

“Knockhill is a very unique and special circuit, it’s very narrow and a cross between a rally and a road circuit at times which makes it very challenging. I’m sure we can win again this weekend, but it would help if the weather was bad, as we know we’re strong in these conditions.”

Neal is looking to return to his early season form in the second half of the year. The experienced BTCC driver hasn’t won a race since the opening round, but he’s focused on racking up the points. He says, “Knockhill is a great location for a BTCC round as it is such a different track to all the others which we race on. It’s tight and twisty with plenty of elevation changes. It’ll be the usual adversaries vying for the front and I expect to be there. We didn’t have a good start to the Snetterton weekend but ended on a positive note, so if we can carry this through the Knockhill round we’ll be in the thick of it and taking points.”

Jordan is looking ahead to the fresh challenge Knockhill brings, after several character building races. The 20 year old explains, “I really like the Knockhill circuit as it’s the sort of track that you really have to be on the edge with the car to be quick there. I think we will be fast, although I’m sure the BMW’s will be good through the hairpin and up the hill, but I’m confident the Vauxhall will also work well. I had some good results at Knockhill last season including a podium, so I’ll certainly be aiming to repeat this level of performance. “

Ahead of the race weekend VX Racing will join other BTCC race teams to showcase the championship to the local fans. The Dunlop British Touring Car Festival will be held this Thursday, 13th August, in Edinburgh. With the backdrop of the city’s castle, VX Racing drivers, Giovanardi and Jordan, alongside other BTCC stars, will rev up their Vauxhalls and delight the crowds with a demonstration run along Johnston Terrace. Prior to this fans will also be able to meet their favourite drivers at an exclusive autograph session from 12 noon at Castle Terrace.