Only two weeks after winning the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Fabrizio Giovanardi is back behind the wheel of the number 1 VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra.
It is the first time Giovanardi has carried the winner’s mark since joining the BTCC in 2006 and he says it was a very satisfying moment.

“I was obviously happy to see the number one!” said the eight-time touring car champion. “But the team and myself are already fully focused on next year. Only if we put 100% into the winter testing now will we be number one again next year, and this is our aim!” 

On Friday the Italian was testing at Silverstone, which is set to be reintroduced into the BTCC calendar in 2008, and then everyday this week the team has been out at Pembrey, Wales.
Giovanardi said it is not unusual to start the testing schedule in October. “We have finished the championship very late,” said the eight-time touring car champion. “It’s better to run in England before we have winter.

“Last year we went to Spain during the winter; the weather is good but the circuit is completely different so the feedback is different. We decided to make a few tries in England before Spain this year to modify the car.”

In this test the team looked for ways to make the Vauxhall Vectra’s settings more adaptable after erring on the side of caution during the season, careful not to endanger VX Racing's championship ambitions by taking risks.

“I said during the year that the car could still be developed to be even better,” said Giovanardi. “But we had no time in the championship to explore. We were in the fight from beginning to end.
“The changes they have made so far are not big but I am happy; it is a very positive step.”
Notes to Editors

Since first entering the BTCC in 1989, Vauxhall’s works team has won 18 titles:

• Seven Drivers Championships (2007 Fabrizio Giovanardi, 2004 James Thompson, 2003 Yvan Muller, 2002 James Thompson, 2001 Jason Plato, 1995 John Cleland, 1989 John Cleland)
• Seven Manufacturers Championships (2007 Vauxhall Vectra, 2005 VXR Astra Sport Hatch, 2004 Astra Coupé, 2003 Astra Coupé, 2002 Astra Coupé, 2001 Astra Coupé, 1992 Cavalier GSi)
• Four Team Titles (2004, 2003, 2002, 2001)

It is the most successful manufacturer in the modern era of BTCC, having accumulated 111 race wins.