That disappointing result would actually work in the Italian’s favour however, as he started on row two for the final race and quickly got into the lead of the race – going on to take a fifth win of the season ahead of Onslow-Cole, who produced a fine drive in the
BMW for another podium finish. Jackson completed the top three but Plato could manage only eighth after he was forced wide by team-mate Turner and lost places early on. It meant that he headed to
Oulton Park for the fifth meeting of the year leading by just two points….
Pole position in Cheshire went, once again, to Turkington ahead of Shedden and Neal in the Civics, while title rivals Plato and Giovanardi were fifth and sixth. However, rain was expected for race day which raised the prospect of the cat firmly being thrown amongst the pigeons as the season headed towards the half way point.
The rain stayed away for the opening race as Shedden came through to take his first win of the year ahead of Giovanardi and Turkington while Plato could manage only seventh – meaning it was advantage Fabrizio heading into race two, with rain starting to fall.
The second race was dramatic for two reasons, the first of which was a heavy four car shunt that saw Pinkney, Blanckley, Hughes and Erkut forced to retire and the race running behind the Safety Car until lap eight. It was soon under caution again however after Gareth Howell went off at Old Hall in the wet and was forced out.
In the little racing action there was, Giovanardi was trying his best to get past leader Turkington but it was only on the final lap that he got a run on the BMW out of the final corner. However, Turkington held on to win by just 0.046secs from the Italian with Jordan in third. Plato was only fifth which left him twelve points behind Giovanardi going into race three.
