VX
Racing has today announced that Fabrizio Giovanardi will remain
with the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Vauxhall works
team in 2008, whatever the outcome of this weekend’s title decider at
Thruxton.
The Luton-based manufacturer has reinforced its confidence in the
seven-time touring car champion by extending his contract in the run-up to the three most important races of his career to date.
Giovanardi, who has won eight BTCC rounds in the VX Racing Vectra so
far this
“I
haven’t any pressure on me because I have
signed,” said Giovanardi. “But that does not give me any different
approach to the race. I come to Thruxton to try and win for me, for
Vauxhall and for the team.
“It’s
going to be very great for the fans because
we’re so close. A small mistake could make the difference so tension is
quite high. I hope the weather will be quite good. Rain could make big
questions.”
Vauxhall has been delighted with Giovanardi’s tour de force
this year, as he dealt with robust on-track battles and mounting pressure.
“Fabrizio
has been instrumental in developing the Vauxhall
Vectra into the race-winning car it is today,” said Stuart Harris, VX
Racing Brand Manager. “That has given us great success this year,
not least the fact that we are leading the Manufacturers Championship.
“The Thruxton weekend is going to be nerve-racking.
There’s really nothing in it, but I’m confident the team is on form and I’m looking forward to returning to winning
ways.”
At
the Thruxton round earlier in the year Giovanardi won two of the
three races, out-scoring Plato by nine points. If that should happen
again, the Vauxhall driver would win having racked up more victories
throughout
the season.
Qualifying will take place this Saturday (13 October) at 15:10 with
the first of three races starting at 11:00 on Sunday.
Since first entering
the BTCC in 1989, Vauxhall’s works team has won 16 titles:
-
Six Drivers Championships
(2004 James Thompson, 2003 Yvan Muller, 2002 James Thompson, 2001 Jason Plato, 1995 John Cleland, 1989 John Cleland)
-
Six Manufacturers
Championships (2005 VXR Astra Sport Hatch, 2004 Astra Coupé, 2003 Astra Coupé, 2002 Astra Coupé, 2001 Astra Coupé, 1992 Cavalier
GSi)
-
Four Team Titles (2004,
2003, 2002, 2001)
It is the most successful manufacturer in the modern era of BTCC, having accumulated 109 race wins.
year, is nine points behind SEAT’s Jason Plato with a maximum 52 points remaining through next Sunday’s racing.