Showdown at Thruxton

I’m off to Thruxtron on Sunday to witness the culmination of the hardest-fought championship in racing this year outside of Formula 1.

Jason Plato has been hounded every step of the way by Fabrizio Giovanardi. If the Briton can keep the Italian at bay for the final three races at Thruxton he will be champion.

But Giovanardi’s Vauxhall suits the long, fast sweeps of Thruxton better than Plato’s Leon. Giovanardi won two of the three races here earlier in the year – Plato taking the other one.

If it stays dry, Giovanardi has to be the favourite for the championship. If it rains, it will be extremely close between the pair of them.

Giovanardi looked utterly serene when I saw him at the track on Tuesday this week. Plato, however, is nursing some nasty injuries picked up while filming for Fifth Gear.

Who’s going to win it? I’m not a betting man, but I think Giovanardi’s going to sneak in and snatch the championship from Plato at the final round.

But this is the BTCC, where anything can happen, and both teams are fielding extra drivers this weekend. It’s going to be a thrilling day’s racing.