BTCC Donington

Team Dynamics’ James Thompson and Airwaves BMW’s Robert Collard werewinners in this weekend’s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championshipraces at Donington Park, Leicestershire. But Vauxhall star Matt Nealstill maintains his place at the top of the title standings.

YorkshiremanThompson took his Honda Civic to wins in both the first and secondoutings, held in wet and dry conditions respectively. In race two, thetwo-time BTCC Champion became the first driver this season to take adouble victory.

Neal, though, remains the man on top. The 2005and 2006 Champion was second in race one and third in race two, givinghim a narrow points advantage over nearest championship challengerColin Turkington.

Worcestershire based Neal said: “I’d builtmyself a pretty tidy buffer over Colin by the end of race two but racethree shows just how quickly it can all turn around. My car is workingreally well at the moment, but the next two circuits, at Oulton Parkand Croft, will be strong for the BMWs so we’ve got a big fight aheadof us. Plus James in that Honda is looking very handy as are theChevrolets. Seven different winners in seven races underlines just howcompetitive the BTCC is.”

Northern Irishman Turkington, wasrelieved to have kept Neal in his sights. “I said before if I couldleave Donington with a hand still on Matt’s back I’d be happy”, claimedthe BNW ace. “It could have been a better situation if I’d not beenspun out in race one, but I’m still relatively satisfied, particularlyas I know Oulton and Croft will be two of our strongest circuits.”

Meanwhile,there were strong performances from a number of other teams anddrivers. In Saturday’s qualifying session, Vauxhall’s Andrew Jordan,aged just 19 years and 358 days, set a record as the youngest everdriver to take pole position for a BTCC race – ahead of Harry Vaulkhardin the new Tempus Sport team’s Chevrolet Lacetti, who qualified abest-ever second fastest.

The biggest smiles of the weekendwere to be found in the Team Aon pit garage as Tom Chilton gave its newFord Focus ST – heavily revised for Donington – a first-ever pointsfinish.

Next up the teams head for Cheshire’s undulating Oulton park circuit on 31 May.

Race 1

1 James Thompson Honda Civic
2 Andrew Jordan Vauxhall Vectra
3 Matt Neal Vauxhall Vectra

Race 2

1 James Thompson Honda Civic
2 Matt Neal Vauxhall Vectra
3 Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra

Race 3

1 Robert Collard BMW 320si E90
2 Colin Turkington BMW 320si E90
3 Jason Plato Chevrolet Lacetti