Mansell Stars On 1998 Btcc Debut.

Nineteen-ninety-two F1 world champion Nigel Mansell came close to winning the second race of his British Touring Car Championship career at Donington Park last weekend.


The former Lotus, Williams and Ferrari driver led the second "feature" race for several laps before the appalling conditions saw him run deep into the final chicane, allowing rival John Cleland past. A similar mistake on the last lap saw Cleland's team-mate - and Mansell's former F1 rival - Derek Warwick take third place. Mansell was later relegated to fifth following a protested move during a safety car period.


The first race saw Mansell plant his Ford Mondeo into the tyre barrier, damaging the car and slightly injuring the driver. Nevertheless, Mansell emerged for the second race, some two hours later, to repay his loyal fans with a scintillating drive.