Cue Kia"s new SUV, called...
Cue Kia"s new SUV, called the Kue. Making its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show, the fresh crossover is every bit as dramatic as Range Rover"s Stormer, which appeared at the American expo back in 2004
With both the manufacturers’...
With both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles going right down to the wire at Thruxton on Sunday, the rival camps have boosted their firepower by adding extra cars to their line-ups.
SEAT will field a third Leon for Tom Coronel, the reigning World Independent Touring Car Champion, while the Luton outfit has readied a third Vectra for none other than former double BTCC title holder, Alain Menu.
Vauxhall has a slender three-point advantage over SEAT in the manufacturers’ standings, but the tables are turned in the fight for drivers’ honours, where Vectra top gun Fabrizio Giovanardi trails Leon man Jason Plato by nine points. However, with three rounds to run at the Hampshire track, and the winner of each race bagging 16 points, fireworks are guaranteed.
Adding to the excitement, most pundits believe the Vauxhall will be quicker than the SEAT at the super-fast Thruxton circuit. And, by a strange twist of fate, Italian Giovanardi outscored Brit Plato by nine points on the series’ previous visit back in May.
“Earlier in the year, Fabrizio said it was easier to be the hunter than the hunted,” revealed Plato, who turns 40 on Sunday. “It was a great quote, but I don’t see it like that. I’m in a better position as I have more points. “Winning the title would be a fabulous present and make the hangover even bigger on Monday morning!”
The battle for the Independents’ Trophy will also be settled on Sunday, with BMW drivers Colin Turkington and Mat Jackson up against Mike Jordan in his Honda Intergra.
Tickets are still on sale for the season finale. And you can tune in to all the nail-biting action, as it’s being screened live on ITV1 and ITV4.