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Fabrizio Giovanardi and Jason Plato, the top two drivers in this year’s
British Touring Car Championship, both received trophies at last night’s
high-profile Autosport Awards on London’s Park Lane – just a fortnight after
appearing there for the BTCC’s own Night of Champions ceremony.
Vauxhall driver Giovanardi, who pipped Plato to the title in the final round
of the season, was presented with a Gregor Grant award. It was the seventh
touring car title to fall the way of the Italian – regarded by some as the best
touring car driver in the world.
He said: “I think it is great to be here in front of so many people. I never
have been in front of so many people! I am very proud to have this prize.
“This is very special because I went to England last year and it was a very
tough season for me. It is not easy like I thought before I came. So I think
this season we did a great job. We made a big effort to try and win and I had a
good fight with Jason Plato until the end. It was very special. We never know
until the end.”
 SEAT driver Plato received the National Racing Driver award – he is
scheduled to stay in London to pick up a prestigious BRDC Silver Star at the
swanky Savoy hotel tonight (Monday).
Plato led the BTCC season pretty much all the way but prior to the final
rounds suffered nasty burns when a super car he was driving for motoring
television show Fifth Gear burst into flames.
In front of the Autosport audience, though, Plato refused to blame the
accident for him losing out to Giovanardi at the last.
He said: “I had the accident while filming and I had burns; that’s all there
is to say. On the day it didn’t make any difference, adrenaline takes over.
“It didn’t quite work for us, but that wasn’t due to the injuries. My team
did a fantastic job all year.
“This year has been a different year to many in the paddock. The
relationships between the championship contenders have been quite harmonious
and that has been great.”
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