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Behind, Plato and Giovanardi, just as they have all season, took turns to take points out of each other in the three races, with the Briton twice getting the upper hand over his Italian rival. SEAT driver Plato, who arrived at Knockhill just four points in front, has managed to increase his lead to nine points but knows that Vauxhall’s Giovanardi, with a maximum of 52 on offer from Thruxton’s final three rounds, still has a strong chance of lifting what is the most coveted crown in UK motor sport. Coincidentally, Plato will celebrate his 40^th birthday on race day at Thruxton.

Plato, who has only once been led in the championship this season, said: “From a sporting point of view, it’s fantastic that it will go to Finals Day with Fabrizio. It’s going to bring out the absolute very best in both of us and our teams and is going to be an extremely close finish which is exactly how it should be for the all the fans at the circuit and those watching on television. I won the title in 2001 in a similar set of circumstances – up against one of the very best touring car drivers in the world – and know exactly what will be required. It’s just been such a competitive season and the title will mean something very special to whoever wins it.”

Giovanardi, with seven European and national touring car titles to his name, added: “It’s been a frustrating day because I would have been almost level with Jason if I’d not been pushed off the circuit in race one. But, then again, I am still very close and we’ve managed to make the Vectra work again on a circuit that many people thought would be better for the SEAT. I am really looking forward to Thruxton and feel very confident about that day because the Vectra is very strong around there and Vauxhall has had many, many wins at Thruxton before. Jason is a great driver and I know he will push to his maximum to keep me behind. But I will also be at my maximum!”

Meanwhile, a strong day for SEAT has seen it slash Vauxhall’s lead in the BTCC Manufacturers’ title race down to just three points with a maximum of 81 still available at Thruxton. The same margin is all that separates Mike Jordan and Colin Turkington at the top of the Independents Drivers’ table. In the outright Teams’ championship, SEAT Sport UK has increased its advantage over nearest rival VX Racing. In the battle for the Independents Teams’ Trophy, Team RAC now has a virtually unassailable points lead over its rivals.

BTCC points after Knockhill, rds25, 26 & 27 (provisional):

Drivers:

1. Jason PLATO, 265 points

2. Fabrizio GIOVANARDI, 259

3. Gordon SHEDDEN, 188

4. Matt NEAL, 172

5. Colin TURKINGTON, 171

6. Darren TURNER, 155

7. Mat JACKSON, 132
8. Mike JORDAN, 127

9. Tom CHILTON, 115

10. Tom ONSLOW-COLE, 107

Manufacturers:

1. Vauxhall, 564 points

2. SEAT, 561

Teams:
1. SEAT Sport UK, 402

2. VX Racing, 358

3. Team Halfords, 320

4. Team RAC, 260

5. Jacksons MSport, 130

6. Eurotech/John Guest-Speedfit, 122

Race reports…

Round 25, 24 laps (30.5112 miles)

Weather/Track: Overcast/Dry

TURNER SEES OFF SHEDDEN

Turner took his second win of 2007, but only after Shedden retired with damage to his Team Halfords Honda Civic when he tried wrestling away the lead from the SEAT driver in the closing laps. Until that point, Shedden had set the fastest lap as he gradually caught up to Turner. But when he made his move their cars collided and the Honda’s suspension was knocked out of kilter, forcing the home hero to retire in the pit lane.

From there, Turner was untroubled en route to victory, keeping comfortably ahead of Team RAC driver Colin Turkington. On course for third had been Giovanardi – a result that would have drawn him level on points with Plato – but in the closing lap his car was sent sliding off the track in a clash with Tom Onslow-Cole’s Team RAC BMW. Their incident enabled the following Plato to move into third ahead of Onslow-Cole, with Giovanardi an annoyed seventh. Later, though, Giovanardi would be promoted to sixth as officials excluded Onslow-Cole from the results for his part in the incident.

Behind, there were welcome points finishes for John George and Martyn Bell who took eighth and ninth in their TH Motorsport/JAG Honda Integra and Allaboutproperty.com BMW 320i respectively. In tenth, scoring a point on his BTCC debut, was newcomer Alan Taylor in Robertshaw Racing’s Honda Integra.

Notable retirements included reigning champion Matt Neal and Mat Jackson whose Halfords Honda and Jacksons MSport BMW 320si were involved in a lap one clash. Vauxhall’s Tom Chilton would also drop out with damage to his Vectra.

Result:

1. Darren Turner (GBR), SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon, 21m45.478s
2. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +1.654s
3. Jason Plato (GBR), SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon, +15.635s
FASTEST LAP: Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Civic, 53.313s (85.84mph)

Round 26, 24 laps (30.5112 miles)

Weather/Track: Cloudy/Dry

TURNER DOUBLES UP

Turner added to his race one win with another lights-to-flag victory in race two, although this time in the closing laps came under pressure from the ever-present Turkington who again had to settle for second.

Third on this occasion was Giovanardi who, after passing Plato early on, spent the majority of the race fending off the charging Shedden – up from 12^th on the starting grid. Shedden, who again set the race’s fastest lap time, ultimately took fourth ahead of Plato in fifth and Neal in sixth.

Result:

1. Darren Turner (GBR), SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon, 21m36.562s
2. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.536s
3. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +8.205s
FASTEST LAP: Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Civic, 53.470s (85.59mph)

Round 27, 24 laps (30.5112 miles)

Weather/Track: Sunny/Dry

DREAM VICTORY FOR SHEDDEN

Live on ITV1, Shedden achieved a great personal ambition by winning a BTCC race on his home circuit to send the enormous crowds that filled the spectator banks into great cheers of delight.

Jordan, on pole position thanks to the reversed grid draw, led the early stages but was then overtaken for first place by Neal. Shedden was next to move in on Jordan and was soon up into second and closing on his team-mate. Around mid-distance, to a roar of approval from around the circuit, he pounced and once ahead drew clear for a dream victory.

Neal completed a Team Halfords 1-2 finish by holding off Plato, in third, to the line, while Jordan did the SEAT driver a great favour by finishing fourth ahead of the fifth-placed Giovanardi.

Result:

1. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Civic, +21m48.929s

2. Matt Neal (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Civic, +0.494s

3. Jason Plato (GBR), SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Leon, +1.146s

FASTEST LAP: Shedden, 53.340s (85.79mph)