VX Racing aims for lead at Silverstone

VX Racing will race at the team’s home circuit next weekend, as the eighth round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. VX Racing, based in Banbury, will be aiming to use the home advantage to the full as they battle to retain all three BTCC titles this season. The team’s drivers, reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal and youngster Andrew Jordan are all looking forward to the challenge of the Silverstone’s National Circuit as the season enters its final three rounds.

The battle for the 2009 drivers championship is now closer than ever with Team RAC’s Colin Turkington leading the charge from VX Racing’s Giovanardi, by a mere nine points. The Italian racer will arrive at Silverstone carrying a healthy momentum after taking over 77 points in the last two race weekends. Neal has conceded his title chances are all but over, even though it is mathematically still possible for him to clinch the crown before the end of the year. The Droitwitch racer and team mate Jordan have endured several tough races of late, leaving both raring to prove a point at Silverstone.

Giovanardi commented ahead of the weekend, “Silverstone is a very fast flowing circuit, with a few tight corners in between, and the National layout is quite a short lap for us. We haven’t had the best qualifying sessions recently, but we have still had some good results from the races. We will push to improve our qualifying pace and hopefully we will be able to challenge for more victories. My focus is on Colin, even though I know Jason (Plato) will be fast, Colin is the man I must beat.”

Neal, added, “I’m really looking forward to Silverstone, it’s second to none facility wise in the UK and the history of the circuit really adds to the feel of it all. The circuit is simple and very short and that makes for much closer racing. There will be plenty of action all weekend, which will be great for the fans.”

“My championship hopes were perhaps over before Knockhill, we really needed a result there, but it wasn’t to be. Andrew and I really want to give it all we’ve got next weekend, we both want to go out there and get a victory, however we have to be mindful that Fabrizio has a shot at a third title and we will support that.”

Jordan added, “Silverstone always makes for good racing. Qualifying will be interesting, due to the short length of the lap the times are always close. Last season there were only a few tenths between the top ten, so you have to get as much as you can out of the car and tyres to be up there for the race. There are some overtaking opportunities around, so there is always the ability to move up through the field, but with the long straights the Chevrolets will be very competitive. I’m still chasing my elusive first win, so that will be my aim over the weekend, but with Fabrizio and Colin in a title battle, I’ll be there for support if the team needs me to be.”

The next round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place on the Silverstone National Circuit in Northamptonshire on the 29/30 August. Qualifying will take place on Saturday alongside the World Aerobatic Championships event being staged in the southern part of the Silverstone circuit

Plane enthusiast Matt Neal had a rare opportunity to fly alongside one of the aerobatic pilots at a demonstration event held at Silverstone last Tuesday. The double BTCC champion was left feeling ’shaky’ after the experience, “It was thrilling, really amazing. The G-forces in the planes are fantastic and they really throw them around, they are so agile. It is a million miles away from what we do in the Touring Cars, but I think it’ll really complement the track action on Saturday. I was much happier to be back on the ground though!”