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00:00Touring car racing, well, this is what it's all about.
00:08People competing in everyday cars you can drive on the road.
00:11It's just that, well, the driving's a little bit different.
00:30A really big crowd here at Donington Park for rounds 11 and 12 of the AA.com British Touring
00:50Car Championship.
00:51And a really big job ahead, too, for some of the drivers, because Ivan Muller in the Vauxhall
00:56is really starting to pull ahead of the rest of the field.
00:59And if they're going to catch him, they're really going to have to get their skates on
01:02this weekend.
01:05Donington Park circuit in the Midlands, right near the East Midlands Airport, actually.
01:09Very fast-flowing circuit.
01:11We're on the long circuit, which has got that protrusion at the bottom of it there.
01:15Melbourne Loop, very challenging part of the track.
01:20Motor racing's all about going fast.
01:22We all know that.
01:23But it's also about being able to slow down again.
01:26It's critically important at a circuit like Donington Park, a corner like this, the old
01:29hairpin.
01:30Because touring cars have got smaller brakes this year, and Donington Park is a brake killer.
01:35And here's a classic example, the S's.
01:38One of the reasons why the drivers have been worried about pulling off a full race distance
01:42here all year.
01:43They come hosing down the back straight here, fastest bit of the track, 140 miles an hour.
01:48They've got to stomp on the brakes all the way down through the gears just to hook through
01:52this chicane.
01:53And it gets worse.
01:55Only a couple of hundred yards later, we turn up here, the Melbourne Loop.
01:58The brakes are still red-hot from the S's.
02:01The pedal's long.
02:02It's not working properly.
02:03And worst of all, Melbourne Loop is downhill.
02:06So, obviously, the conclusion.
02:07The man who can look after his brakes the best is really the guy to beat.
02:11And it's not just a matter of feel, you know.
02:14It's high-tech as well.
02:15Look at Vauxhall.
02:16They can compare so closely the different techniques, say, between Ivan Muller, Jason Plato.
02:23They've got very different styles, but the lap times are so close.
02:32So, we've got a really interesting Vauxhall experiment here, haven't we?
02:35Because you've got Ivan Muller and Jason Plato both as quick as each other, but they break really differently.
02:40Yeah, Ivan is a left foot breaker.
02:49Jason is a more traditional style of breaker.
02:59So, Ivan is going to be braking more often to spend more time on the brake, putting a lot of heat into his pads.
03:05And that is going to be his disadvantage, I think.
03:08Well, it'll be fascinating to watch how that plays out.
03:11Something else fascinating to watch as well.
03:13We've got a new driver joining us this weekend.
03:15New Zealand's Superbike star, Aaron Sleit.
03:20Now, he might be relatively new to touring cars.
03:22He's done a couple of races, but I'll tell you what, through his motorbikes, he sure knows Donington.
03:26OK, here's a lap in Donington.
03:30This is qualifying.
03:32This is coming onto the front straight.
03:35Down here on the bike and the car, probably using the same gears.
03:39The bike's probably got a bit of a slide at that last corner.
03:42Brake in the bike about now.
03:44And then the car about now.
03:47Early entry on a bike, a lot earlier than that.
03:51And then coming out of here, you've got to watch that the back wheel's not spinning on the bike,
03:54because the bike likes to spin down the hill.
03:56So you're not full throttle, just drifting it all the way down here.
03:59But the car's flat, flat on the floor.
04:01And through here, you've got to be really careful, because one of the first left-handers for a bike.
04:06Then you go through the old hairpin.
04:07Feels pretty similar to speed.
04:10Up here, you're flat on the bike and in the car.
04:14Big bumps upset in the car, and they do upset the bike as well.
04:17This corner here on the bike, it's hard braking.
04:20You've got to turn in a lot deeper than that.
04:22And you run over some bumps here.
04:23There's always bumps that's up to the front on the bike.
04:26The car seems to just absorb those.
04:28Here, turning in on the kerb.
04:31Same sort of line there, but on the exit, the bike's a lot, lot tighter.
04:33And the bike's squirming all the way ahead of here.
04:35It's sliding and bucking and weaving.
04:37And then as you pick the bike up, it's still doing a bit of a tank slacker down here.
04:40You've just got the tank slacker under control when you go over the Dunlop Bridge and you're doing a wheelie.
04:44Put the front wheel down, hard on the brakes.
04:47Turning in, sort of, you know, about the middle of the road there, because you've got to miss both kerbs.
04:52Out of here, the bike's wheel spinning again.
04:54And bucking and weaving up here, over the top.
04:57Jump on the brakes about now.
04:59The car's probably about now.
05:01On the bike, I've already turned in.
05:03I'm already trying to hit the apex.
05:05Out of here, both the car and bike, wheel spinning a lot.
05:07It's uphill gradient in the first gear.
05:10The car, once again, very, very late apex here.
05:13With the bike, I'm probably starting to go towards the corner about now.
05:16Um, and I've already touched the kerb.
05:18So, a lot different on the entry, really, car to bike.
05:21And the bike is a, you know, it goes to the apex a lot, lot quicker.
05:25Um, and it's another lap.
05:28Fast and furious qualifying.
05:40And it finished up with some new faces at the sharp end.
05:43Yeah, the lads have done a great job.
05:45We had a very good test at Snetterton last week.
05:48Um, managed to change a few things on the car to make it a little bit, uh, more to my, uh, way of driving.
05:54And, uh, very pleased to come here and take both poles.
05:56Gavin, first pole of the season by half a second.
06:02Yeah, it's great.
06:03I mean, uh, we had engine problems in the test and the guys worked really, really hard to get the car engine back in the car again.
06:08So, uh, yeah, it was great to, uh, give them pole.
06:11Well, the Alphas were back for the weekend with a new set of engines.
06:16Unfortunately, a new set of problems as well.
06:19Long faces in the Alfa camp, but I tell you what, it was not so in the Peugeots.
06:30Dan, you were a whisper away then from cracking the Vauxhall 4.
06:34Yeah, the, um, we've, the teams worked very hard on the cars over the past sort of couple of weeks,
06:39we've made some significant improvements and, uh, the weight obviously affects the voxels,
06:43a touch around here and, uh, we're inching closer all the time.
06:47As a racing driver, going fast isn't just about opening the throttle pedal,
06:51it's about how you brake.
06:52And here at Donington in particular, we've got three major braking.
06:56We are braking downhill and, of course, some of these touring cars here, for example,
07:00are carrying weight penalty ballast.
07:02They've got massive front brakes, much, much smaller rear brakes, front-wheel drive, of course.
07:07Now, the most important thing about braking at Donington Park is to caress the brake pedal
07:11when you go on the pedal, not to go whop like that.
07:13All you're going to do when you do that is knock the brakes out of the car.
07:16In a 15-lap race, that's no use. In a 30-lap race, your race will be over.
07:23It's a good old pole position for James Thompson.
07:25Two tenths ahead of Ivan Muller, with Plato and Bennett right behind.
07:29Bad luck for the Alphas. They are not making the grid at all.
07:32They've been retired from the race.
07:34Harrison and Moen on the front of the production grid.
07:36Now, there's a story for you because we were just talking to Gavin Piper
07:39about getting pole position.
07:41Unfortunately, an engine change means that he has to go to the back of the grid
07:45and his time is disallowed.
07:47So, watch for him working his way through the field,
07:50up past Beaumont, Templeton and the rest of them as the race unfolds.
07:54Okay, sprint race time, and as you might remember, a slightly complex formula.
07:59When the lights go to green, these touring cars behind us will head off.
08:03Then, precisely 30 seconds later, the slightly slower production cars will start their race.
08:08But, there's a trick.
08:09And the trick is that the touring cars have to do 16 laps,
08:13whereas the production boys only have to do 15.
08:15So, what does that mean?
08:16These cars here have got to unlap themselves by the time we get to the end of the race.
08:21Now, it's going to be a particularly interesting start to watch as well
08:24because we've got a new pole man this time.
08:26Not this guy, Phil Bennett, but his teammate just in front, James Thompson.
08:30And as a lot of you touring car experts will know, James Thompson is a demon starter.
08:34So, if anyone can really make some mileage out of being on pole, it's this guy.
08:47James Thompson on the left-hand side of the screen,
08:49known as a great starter.
08:51There's Steve Soba.
08:54Ready for action.
08:57Air and slide, concentrating.
08:58Plato.
09:00Rebs are up, you can hear it, you can see it.
09:01Lights are green and they're off.
09:04Muller away pretty sharply, but James Thompson as well.
09:07Thompson on the left, Muller on the right.
09:08Jason Plato on the second of those revs.
09:10Vauxhall's trying to find a way through in the first time around.
09:14Phil Bennett giving Ivan Muller just a little bit of a tap there through Redgate.
09:20And I think Bennett might be through there, side by side.
09:23Plato a good start, side by side there for Bennett and Muller.
09:27Down through the crane of curves.
09:29Still hanging on, Bennett is not going to give up.
09:32And he's through.
09:33Tough stuff.
09:34Meanwhile, just in the top of your screen, you can see the production boys have kicked off.
09:3830 seconds later than the touring cars.
09:40And they've only got 15 laps to do.
09:42Now, Phil Bennett has really got his hands full.
09:44That's Ivan Muller and Jason Plato both pressuring him, coming up into McLean's.
09:48He's one out and one back, hung out to try there, and turned around as well.
09:53Lost two positions, that was contact with Soper.
09:56Nice save.
09:57Phil Bennett having served his apprenticeship in the first half of the year,
10:00wants to get muscular with his teammates.
10:02And Steve Soper taught him another lesson.
10:04There it is.
10:05Vauxhall, Peugeot contact.
10:06Round the Vauxhall goes.
10:07Look at the damage to the front of the Peugeot.
10:09Talk about hero to zero.
10:11Phil Bennett was up into second place a moment ago.
10:13It just all came unglued for him.
10:15Down through the Melbourne loop.
10:17Kurt Luby coming under some pressure there from Aaron Sleit.
10:21Runs a little bit wide.
10:23Sleit holds him off.
10:24This is the sharp end of that gaggle.
10:25And it is James Thompson right behind him.
10:27Muller right behind him.
10:29Plato all very much in touch.
10:32Oh, Phil Bennett will be scratching his head though,
10:34trying to work out what happened,
10:35because he did very, very well early on.
10:37Well, playing with the big boys and believing you are one of the big boys,
10:40I think Phil learned a lesson there.
10:42And also Steve Soper just compounded it by tagging him as they came through McLean's.
10:46Now here's Simon Harrison.
10:47Remember, he's actually the race leader because of the way these rules work,
10:50where the production cars are only doing 15 laps.
10:53Howell right behind him, then his teammate Roger Moen.
10:56Kaye there struggling a little bit.
10:58And the second of the two Hondas, his teammate Graves in front of him.
11:01Time to hook the left-hander now back onto the pit straight.
11:05Moen and Howell pretty close together.
11:07A little bit of breathing space there for Harrison.
11:10Jackson and Collard rubbing paint as well, moving onto the straight.
11:14It's going to be interesting to see these two Peugeots,
11:17because Roger Moen is considered to be the easier of the two drivers on the team on his brakes.
11:22But it is his teammate, Simon Harris, who currently leads this race.
11:26Remember, this is the short race.
11:28The long one is yet to come, and that's going to be even tougher.
11:31James Thompson getting a little bit of breathing space.
11:33Thompson very much on form.
11:35Not very far from his home either here at Donington Park.
11:38Skipping through the Esses, taking the shortcut across the dirt.
11:41Steve Sopar, Dan Eves.
11:43Very big shortcut there by Kurt Luby.
11:46And Sleit moves up the inside.
11:48You might take the shortcut, but he's washed off a little speed in this process.
11:51Coming down into the Melbourne Loop.
11:53There's Luby in the black Lexus.
11:54Sleit now on the outside of him.
11:56Can he do the switch back? Phil Bennett right behind him.
11:59Luby running a bit wide and loose again.
12:02Well, that's because the Lexus is the only rear-wheel drive car amongst these touring cars.
12:06And, of course, too much right foot.
12:08We'll see the back end swing out.
12:10Well, the front of it has just lunged right past Sleit on the inside.
12:14And I think Luby ran a little bit deep in the process.
12:17Sleit getting the position back again.
12:18And there is Luby right in front of us.
12:20We're on board with Phil Bennett.
12:21Three of these cars just jammed together.
12:24Coming down into Red Gate corner now.
12:26Sleit in the middle. Luby on the left.
12:28Bennett on the right.
12:29Bennett tries to cut back behind Sleit.
12:31Sleit says, not in your life, Sunshine.
12:32I might be new here, but I ain't giving you any space.
12:34Well, he got absolutely sideways as he came out of Red Gate.
12:37But remember, Aaron Sleit's race here at Woodenbikes.
12:39He knows this place, and he's a real racer.
12:41And there's tons of stuff around to protect him,
12:43so he can feel very, very, very aggressive indeed.
12:47As we have Rhodes.
12:49He almost seems to expect to see Sleit putting his knee out and going down.
12:52Down round through the old hand pin.
12:54Sleit now.
12:56Motorbike A skipping Bennett.
12:58Some real pressure up into McLean's corner.
13:01And I'll tell you also, Sleit is a real breath of fresh air for Peugeot.
13:05Side by side, up over the top of Coffers.
13:09No, you're not seeing double.
13:10That's Sofa and Eves.
13:14Fabulous shot.
13:15So close together.
13:16Down the back straight.
13:18Kicking up Dust.
13:19Meanwhile, back in the distance as Aaron Sleit.
13:21Still in that great three-way tussle.
13:23Now, who's going to give way here?
13:24Sofa on the right.
13:25Eves on the left.
13:26Sofa cuts through.
13:27Eves takes a slightly different line.
13:29See if he can switch back.
13:30Having a good race.
13:31Meantime, more team mates to play.
13:33That's Muller and Plato.
13:34And Plato's tagged him.
13:36If Hann Muller just gets hooked on the rear bumper.
13:39Plato through.
13:40Well, Plato was just so late in the brakes.
13:42He really, he had to dink out.
13:43Look, watch here.
13:44There is Plato's car.
13:45Comes out.
13:46He's having trouble slowing down.
13:48He locks off eventually.
13:49Whack!
13:50Into the back of Muller's car.
13:51And there, the bumper.
13:53Anybody want a cheap bumper for the back of the Vauxhall Astrakumbe?
13:56It's up at Donington Park.
13:57And it's free.
13:58Well, old Muller will be thinking to himself, this car's heavy.
14:01At least I've made it a little bit lighter.
14:03Lost a bit.
14:04Ah, Kurt Luby.
14:05Bad luck.
14:06Further disappointment for the Lexus team.
14:08That car should be competitive by this part of the season.
14:11Now talk about competitive.
14:12Look at this gaggle.
14:14Up near the sharp end of the production field.
14:16Collard on the right.
14:17That's Gavin Piper on the left.
14:19And Howell in the yellow focus right in the middle of it.
14:21They've been having a race-long scrap and they're still at it.
14:23This is another race-long scrap as well.
14:25It is Phil Bennett and Steve Soper.
14:27Bennett trying to claw his way back up through the field.
14:30He's been in and around the Peugeots all afternoon.
14:33Food's on.
14:34The barbies on.
14:35Yeah, John B&Q just in time.
14:37Smoke's coming.
14:38And that sounds like the sausages are cooked.
14:40Now we're on board with race leader, production leader, Simon Harrison.
14:45Problems.
14:46Big problems.
14:47That's the Melbourne Loop.
14:48Looks like Harrison just locked up the rear brakes.
14:51The tail's swung out.
14:52And he's been passed for the lead as well.
14:54Two places gone.
14:55His teammate Roger Moen now up into the lead.
14:57Braves in the Honda as well.
14:59Up in second place.
15:00Oh, who said they're easy on cars?
15:03That's what it looks like on the inside when they club those curbs.
15:08Yeah, very hard at that chicane end of the straight.
15:10Making his way down to Melbourne.
15:12There is the Norman hairpin.
15:15There is Ivan Muller trying to make amends.
15:18He lost the spot there to Jason Plato.
15:20We're looking back from Plato's car.
15:21That's Muller.
15:22That's where he lost the position to his teammate a couple of laps ago.
15:26There's a big left-hander coming now.
15:28And he lunges down the inside.
15:30Side by side.
15:31Gets it through.
15:32Does he?
15:33Yes, he makes it stick.
15:34Very physical stuff.
15:35Great pass.
15:36But the championship leader Muller certainly wants to win this race this afternoon.
15:39A little wave there from Jason Plato.
15:41High about, you know, I suppose we're square now.
15:44And I guess they are indeed.
15:45What do you mean I cut corners?
15:47Never left the track at all, says Ivan Muller,
15:50as he hauls one of the corner markers around on the front of his car.
15:53I'll tell you what, this scrap is not over yet.
15:56But the problem is the scraps going on between these two teammates.
15:59In the meantime, James Thompson is disappearing into the distance.
16:02Yeah, they're serving James very, very well.
16:04He's driving a quick race.
16:06And these two guys are slowing each other up enormously.
16:09Roger Moen, our race leader.
16:11Graves in the Honda right behind him.
16:13Simon Graves giving him some big pressure.
16:15And there's the gap now.
16:17Look, opened up between Graves and then Simon Harrison in third.
16:21Smoke up ahead of us.
16:22Somebody's had a very big problem.
16:24Someone's lost an engine.
16:25Maybe oil on the track.
16:27Well, that looks like the Tour de Canyon.
16:29Yes, the Honda off the left.
16:31Ah, rotten luck.
16:33He was doing really, really well up into second position.
16:36He was pressuring Roger Moen.
16:37Maybe just giving it all and a little bit too much again.
16:42James Thompson, meantime, making it look easy.
16:44Well, that's how you win races.
16:46You make it look easy.
16:47Fighting doesn't always win.
16:50Safety car out.
16:52Backing up the field.
16:53That's not going to impress James Thompson apart from anybody else.
16:57Because he will lose that helpful lead he had.
17:00Roger Moen will lose the helpful lead that he had as well over his teammate Simon Harrison.
17:05That's the reason.
17:06All that oil down.
17:07Yeah, but look at the amount of dust.
17:09All the cars have been jumping that curb.
17:11They threw all the earth.
17:12Whatever grass remains onto the track.
17:14Plus the oil.
17:15So everybody must be careful of the restart.
17:17Well, this is the restart now.
17:19No one across the line first.
17:21Then it's Jackson.
17:22Then Gavin Piper.
17:23And Kaye.
17:24And the remaining Honda in fourth place.
17:26Then Collard behind.
17:27Then headlights ablaze.
17:28That's James Thompson in the lead touring car.
17:31He's got a great opportunity now to claw his way
17:34right to the sharp end of this field.
17:36Working his way down.
17:38Crane of Curves.
17:39Very fast part of the circuit.
17:40Great pace for these two to be having a scrap.
17:42And Gavin Piper.
17:43He always gets it out for Romeo sideways.
17:45Whichever racetrack we're on.
17:47Absolutely fearless.
17:48Just chucks it down the Crane of Curves.
17:50Tight and neater line there from Jackson once again.
17:53The lawnmower man Piper takes to the grass.
17:56He seems to find grip on the grass.
17:58I've never seen a racing driver who is off track
18:00but still remains competitive.
18:02Jackson is still competitive as well.
18:04That forward focus.
18:06Pretty much in touch.
18:08Seems to have a fair bit of squirt as we come up
18:10from McLean's up over Coppice.
18:12Now that's not helped Jackson's cause there
18:15because James Thompson has slotted his way in
18:17as he needs to.
18:18Thread his way through.
18:19Similarly,
18:20Devon Muller and Jason Plato
18:21and the two red Vauxhalls.
18:23Climbing up past these production guys.
18:26Piper moves to one side.
18:27Thompson to the other.
18:28Muller down into the S's.
18:29This is busy.
18:30And Muller slides through as well.
18:31But it's interesting.
18:32The top speed of the production cars and the Touros.
18:34Hardly any difference at all.
18:36Yeah, you're right.
18:37It just seems to be brakes that make the difference.
18:39Well, at least while the brakes are working.
18:40And we're about to have a very good demonstration of that.
18:42We are steaming down into the Melbourne Loop.
18:44We're on board with Thompson.
18:46That's Muller lunging towards us.
18:48Pushing off all of the speed.
18:50Climbing back up the hill again.
18:53That's Peugeot Orojimo.
18:54It's very brisk up the hill.
18:55It's got a lot of grunt,
18:56but he's about to be monstered right now
18:58as they come into Goddard's.
18:59Oh dear.
19:00It's raining Vauxhalls.
19:02No one moves wide.
19:04Leaves enough room.
19:05Gentlemanly stuff.
19:07So it's Thompson from Muller.
19:09No one there behind them.
19:10Then Jason Plato right behind him.
19:13Down at a red gate corner.
19:16A big feint down the inside there from Muller.
19:18He's desperate to get that spot.
19:20Can he do it?
19:21Well, he's been given an opportunity
19:22because of the safety car.
19:23Thompson's lead vanished.
19:25Now Muller back on the rear wing of the Vauxhall.
19:28Cool heads required now.
19:31Very easy for James to be frustrated by what's happened,
19:34but he's just got to be calm
19:35and see if he can open up another gap.
19:37I don't know how calm about it could be
19:39with Jason Plato right on his bumper.
19:42Here's the Plato eyes for you.
19:49Big lunges down the inside at McLean's.
19:51Muller says, not yet, Sunshine.
19:52Wait, wait.
19:53And the onboard camera really gives you a sense
19:56of how close these three Vauxhalls are.
20:01Taps the curve.
20:05Sounds fabulous, doesn't it?
20:06Down the back straight, quickest part.
20:08Get out of my way, maybe?
20:11Well, I'm not quite sure what that signal was
20:13unless they've got a little private code,
20:15but look at that.
20:17Private code for excuse.
20:18Well, that's not private.
20:19That's a very public code by Jason Plato,
20:21who just clubs his way past to Van Muller.
20:24That was a very forceful pass.
20:25Right down, tight on the left-hand side.
20:27I found room and didn't have heavy contact.
20:29I'm surprised.
20:31Well, there was the result.
20:34Really cost him some momentum, too.
20:36I think Muller maybe have a brake problem
20:38because he would not ordinarily have given up that position so easily.
20:41Well, neither of them have given any quarter in this race with each other.
20:44It's been great to watch, but look how far James Thompson once again
20:47has already started to open up a gap.
20:49Two reasons.
20:50He's looked after his brakes.
20:51He's looked after his tires.
20:52He's got grip, and he can stop where he needs to.
20:56Well, Van Muller has not given up.
20:57One poor try in the red gate corner.
20:59Running out of laps, running out of time.
21:01Puff of tire smoke.
21:02One more lunge at Plato.
21:03Just can't get close enough.
21:05But when you are racing that close,
21:07sometimes your focus is just literally on the back of the car ahead of you.
21:11You need to be looking further down the road.
21:14They haven't just been focusing.
21:15They've been positively touchy-feely, these two.
21:17Rubbing paint on every single passing attempt.
21:21Plenty of dirt, plenty of dust.
21:24Plato is going to have to work all that through here.
21:26And I think when you see these three drivers at the end of the race,
21:29they should have smiled in their face
21:31because this is what motor racing is all about.
21:33He's not smiling now.
21:35Well, he probably is on the inside.
21:37He's busy.
21:38Quick glance in the rear vision mirror.
21:39Jason Plato just seeing if he's got any gap all over Van Muller.
21:42Has he got breathing space?
21:44I think he has.
21:45I think Muller is struggling just on brakes.
21:47Remember Muller, left foot breaker.
21:49And you tend to use the brakes a little bit more aggressively
21:51than the conventional right footer,
21:53which is what Jason Plato is.
21:54Yeah, he was worried about that.
21:56And this is only the short race, as I stress.
21:58Hop skipping a jump over the kerbs.
22:03Down towards the Melbourne Loop again, looking back.
22:07We're on board with Jason Plato and a big lunge.
22:10I don't know if that was a lunge or a lack of brakes.
22:12Geronimo charging down the hill of Van Muller.
22:15That was close.
22:16I think he saw this as my last opportunity.
22:18But Peter watched that in the mirror, kept out of Muller's way.
22:23James Thompson makes it look easy.
22:25Not a mark on his car.
22:26Nice drive all the way through.
22:28Down towards and takes the checkered flag.
22:30Thompson lights a blaze.
22:33And he'll be delighted.
22:34That's his first win since the opening round of Brands Hatch early this year.
22:38Phil Bennett should be pretty pleased as well.
22:40Good recovery drive.
22:42Dan Eves crossing the line.
22:44Soper.
22:45And Aaron Sleit.
22:47And nice stuff there.
22:48Roger Moen wins the production ranks.
22:50Piper second.
22:51And Jackson raced long dice they had in third position.
22:54And there's your confirmation.
22:56Nice stuff from James Thompson.
22:58Made it look easy.
22:59Dan Eves.
23:00Soper.
23:01Aaron Sleit.
23:02And Roger Moen also making it into the top eight.
23:12James, well done.
23:14First of all, how are the brakes feeling?
23:16Yeah, pretty tired by now.
23:18But yeah, the car was fabulous to be honest.
23:21The only spanner in our works was when the pace car came out and closed my gap.
23:26Tell me what you were thinking then.
23:28Well, I was thinking, please don't come out.
23:30But yeah, because obviously it worked quite hard to build that gap.
23:34And I was a little mindful of tyres and brakes.
23:37And I thought I'd just try and hold that gap to the end of the race.
23:41And then obviously the pace car closed it up.
23:44And then it was all to play for.
23:49Yeah, it was a pretty epic adventure.
23:51I kind of started the whole bit of bumping and boring going off.
23:56I jumped down the inside at the hairpin and then just locked up a bit as the van closed the door.
24:01So I couldn't avoid but give me a little tag.
24:03But yeah, and I slipped past.
24:04And then he obviously returned the service here, which was, you know, all fair again.
24:09Another little tag.
24:10And then I got him clean and square on the brakes down into the chicane.
24:14But a hard race.
24:15I mean, great fun.
24:16It's very, very close.
24:17It's as fair as it possibly can be.
24:19And yeah, it's an enjoyable win.
24:22Not a win, a second roller.
24:23And the red light, when you see the red light, you pull another gear.
24:35So it'll go orange, orange, orange, red.
24:38And when you see red, you pull a gear.
24:41We can all drive a road car.
24:43Sure, that's fine.
24:44But very few people ever get the opportunity to have a go at a race car, especially at Donington Park.
24:49Well, this is a proper race car.
24:51It's Jason Plato's car.
24:52He came second in this at Brands Hatch.
24:54And who better to try the difference between a road car than a race car than our very own Dawn McDaniel.
24:59Never driven one before, he goes.
25:01I don't worry about English.
25:03You know what I mean?
25:04You have my complete support at this stage.
25:06We've got that seat from another cable.
25:08And if we are going to go off, can we do it at Red Gate?
25:11Because it's a really short walk back.
25:13Okay.
25:14Don't worry about neutral.
25:15If you want to stop, just put your wheels on.
25:17Can I help?
25:18And turn the wheels on.
25:19Let's see if that's coming.
25:23Way to go.
25:25Yeah, that's better.
25:26That's nice road.
25:27That's all right, guys.
25:28All right.
25:29Let's check it.
25:30That's it.
25:31So we stay to the left-hand side of the track.
25:34I'm a passenger. I stay under glass. I look through my window so bright. I see the stars so bright.
26:03The car is so noisy. The steering is amazing in the light. The most difficult thing is balancing the lightness of the accelerator with the heavy weight of the brake. The car is so responsive that you realise the more you drive, the more subtle you can become.
26:33I think you did really well. It's busy though. That's the first thing you notice. You're never in a gear for very long, are you?
26:43I need two top tips. With these things, you need to use the brakes more to help the engine.
26:49And the other thing is with these cars, really top tip, and it's like a road thing, a really common road mistake we all make, driving, putting your hand inside the wheel that way.
26:57Makes it really hard to control then, because it wants to fight you all the time.
27:01Yeah.
27:02What do you think of the power?
27:03Fantastic.
27:04I'll tell you what, she's fearless too, and did a pretty good job of controlling that thing, and I have to tell you, a much better job of controlling it than some of the drivers.
27:12These pit crews are frantically trying to fix these cars.
27:15We had a radiator bust in the first race, a big hole in the radiator, which caused the engine to blow, so we've done, the lads have done a great job so far trying to change it around, and we're right on the button now.
27:28Hopefully we can get to the grid, but if not, it'll be a pit lane start in the race.
27:31I can tell you there has been an unbelievable amount of frantic activity in the pits between these races, trying to get these cars sorted out after the fast and furious action in race one.
27:41Boardman's car, for instance, worked at the front end of that.
27:44He broke the steering, broke the engine mounts.
27:47New steering rack in O'Neill's Peugeot as well.
27:50The pair of Hondas, driven by Kay and Nick Graves.
27:52Graves has got a new engine entirely.
27:55Kay, a new gearbox.
27:56Further up with the Peugeot, Simon Harrison, they have literally only just finished sorting out his brakes, had no brakes at all in race one, had to get that sorted, and it's only made it now just onto the grid.
28:07And in the touring car ranks, well, we're not going to see Kurt Luby at all, because the Lexus has got irreparable suspension damage.
28:14And as for the rest of these touring car boys, well, you can only begin to imagine how much panel work they've had to do to those, because we saw them smashing together so hard, particularly Muller in the Vauxhall.
28:24Now, remember, this is the long race.
28:26We've talked before about brake wear.
28:27If it's going to be a problem, this is the race.
28:32And this is the race indeed, the feature race.
28:34Making up behind the safety car now.
28:37He'll hook them around the corner, and they will be on their way.
28:40James Thompson on the left-hand side of your screen.
28:42He's got his old sparring partner, Jason Plato, right along beside him.
28:46On the second row of the grid, it's Phil Bennett and Ivan Muller.
28:51They've got to be so careful positioning themselves.
28:53James Thompson sets the pace as the pole man.
28:56Everyone has to stay in touch.
28:57Be absolutely bang on to get the revs right.
29:00Going to wait for their green light, but no one can pass anybody until the line.
29:05So stressful.
29:07Red lights are on.
29:08Jump, go!
29:09And I think James Thompson actually got a touch from behind.
29:12Thompson on the left-hand side of your screen.
29:13Plato alongside him, Muller.
29:15A lot of jostling early on.
29:17Steve Soper muscling down the inside as well.
29:19Here's a Bennett's eye view.
29:22A little bit of kissy face rubbed down.
29:24Oh, excuse me.
29:26Bit of a leverage past there as well.
29:28Muller just pushes his way straight in front of us.
29:32Good start there for Steve Soper up into fourth place.
29:34Side by side again.
29:35Thompson and Plato.
29:36Very, very gutsy stuff.
29:37Lap one.
29:38Puffles smoke from Muller.
29:39Very busy.
29:40All the production gaggle through cleanly.
29:43Muller clearly anxious not to let James Thompson run away with this 30-lap feature race.
29:48And he wants to keep his championship lead well intact.
29:51Up into McLean.
29:53Stand on the gas.
29:54One more hill to climb.
29:56Bit of curb hopping there from Harrison.
29:59Up over Copper's corner.
30:01Bennett having a look down the inside.
30:03Does he get through Soper?
30:05He runs the Soper a little bit wide in the process.
30:08Slides through.
30:09So is Dan Eves, the pair of them.
30:11He really lost out there.
30:12The funny thing is that Soper saw Bennett coming.
30:14Gave him lots of room.
30:16But in the end of a Soper who went out wide, lost positions.
30:19In through the S's for the first time.
30:21Those corner markers didn't last a lap.
30:24Everybody straight lines them.
30:26Don't know why the Marshalls keep putting him out there.
30:28They have got a prayer of lasting.
30:30Coming down towards the Melbourne hairpin for the first time.
30:33The big breaking duel.
30:34Aaron Slides.
30:34Tough stuff there.
30:35Up into second position.
30:37Out of the three of the Peugeots.
30:39Nicely done.
30:40Steve Sober shuffled back as we know.
30:41But Sleip really holding his own.
30:43And James Thompson at the front.
30:45Really in command.
30:48Plato just has a peek down the inside.
30:51But not close enough to threaten.
30:53Down across the strike for the first time.
30:55Muller on the left hand side.
30:57Plato's very in touch.
30:58Yes.
30:58But also remember this is the same as you saw in the sprint race.
31:01But Thompson just drove away.
31:03The two factory obstacles.
31:04Well look Gavin Piper up there in the lead of the production ranks as well.
31:08He started off the front.
31:09He did very well.
31:11He got himself right up the sharp end of race one as well.
31:13Having come off the back of the grid.
31:15Now down through.
31:17Craner curves.
31:19On the limit of adhesion.
31:21Danny just touches the edge of the track there.
31:23Gets a bit of a bump from the Peugeot.
31:25But it's okay.
31:26Lots of muck and dust.
31:27As everyone's using every little bit of the road they possibly can.
31:30And then some.
31:31And James Thompson.
31:32He's lost position.
31:33Plato as he threw side by side into McLean's.
31:36Yep.
31:37That's the race lead.
31:38That manoeuvre began in the Old Herpen.
31:41Plato got the momentum.
31:42And up into McLean's.
31:43Took the lead.
31:44James trying to fight back.
31:47Takes a very attacking line up into Coppers.
31:50But it's not going to work for him.
31:52Losing a little bit of space in the process.
31:54Down the back straight now.
31:56Muller having a peek.
31:57James Thompson is very committed.
31:59We're looking back from Plato's car.
32:00That is Thompson.
32:01We're coming into the S's.
32:06Thompson is really the egg.
32:08And this box all sandwiches they come down into the Herpen, Charlie.
32:11He's under a bit of pressure indeed.
32:14That's Muller looking to the inside to see if he can do anything about James Thompson.
32:18But he can't.
32:20Aaron Slyde still holding his own within the Peugeot ranks as well.
32:23Steve Soper losing a bit of exhaust pipe there.
32:26And I just wonder when he went off track coming out of McLean's.
32:29Has he done anything to damage his car?
32:31Now look, Muller having a look down the inside of James Thompson.
32:35Both of the red and white voxels on attack mode.
32:38And James Thompson is having to work particularly hard.
32:40Ivan Muller once again sporting another souvenir.
32:43One of the corner markers.
32:46Hanging off the front of his car there.
32:51Down through Redgate.
32:53Gavin Piper.
32:54Roger Moen behind him.
32:56Opening up quite a handy lead over the next.
32:58Gavin Piper and the Alfa Romeo have been stars for me this season.
33:03And watch for them in the future as well, I would suggest.
33:06Roger Moen's watching for him right now to see if he can work his way past.
33:10And an early pit stop.
33:11That's Muller.
33:11Well, I just wonder.
33:12Ivan Muller has decided to make an early pit stop for one reason.
33:15He wants to run free.
33:17He just wants to be involved in a dice.
33:18Great stop from Vauxhall.
33:196.4 seconds.
33:21And that might be the clever strategy here this afternoon.
33:24Remember, it's the touring cars that make the pit stops.
33:26The production cars do not.
33:28Weaving and ducking.
33:29Ivan Muller as he gets back onto the track with those cold front tyres.
33:33And plenty of clear tracks.
33:35So if that was the strategy, it's working.
33:36He's got to look after his brakes.
33:38If he's running in a battle like these three Vauxhalls are doing,
33:41you're just going to put more pressure on them.
33:43And James Thompson is putting as much pressure as he can muster
33:46on Jason Plato and the red and white Vauxhall.
33:49Phil Bennett in touch as well.
33:52They are in race mode, and that is hard on the car.
33:55And these three Peugeot's also showing more promise than they've done all season.
33:59James Kaye in rotten luck.
34:01Remember, his team worked so hard to change the gearbox in that car of his
34:04between the races.
34:06And that Piper, Gavin Piper, and he's cruising.
34:08Big problem.
34:09Yeah, a problem for the Alfa Romeo.
34:10And, of course, everything now favouring Simon Harrison,
34:13second in the championship to James Kaye.
34:15And favouring this bloke on the day as well.
34:17Roger Moen, who has inherited the lead.
34:19Simon Graves in the Honda in second position in the production ranks.
34:24A bit of breathing space, though, for Moen.
34:26And he'll be delighted to have that little bit of a gap between Simon Graves
34:29and that lead Peugeot.
34:31OK, another pit stop.
34:32James Thompson.
34:34Thompson, second place.
34:35Following Moen's decision to come in fairly early.
34:39Car jacked up.
34:40Front peels off.
34:41Teodou strips off.
34:43He doesn't want to lose some of the pits.
34:45Good stop again.
34:47Well, 6.5 seconds.
34:48A tenth of a second.
34:49But look.
34:51Where's Moen?
34:52There he is.
34:53Thompson's out ahead of him.
34:54Ah, nice stuff.
34:55That worked for James Thompson.
34:56That was the strategy.
34:58Yes.
34:59Yes.
34:59It's very, very close, though, and this is going to be the end of the jigsaw
35:04once we see Plato stop.
35:05Yes, the race leader finally into the pits.
35:07He's got to beat a 6.4 for Muller, a 6.5 for Thompson.
35:12Pressure now on Vauxhall to keep Plato in the lead of this race.
35:16Brings the car and stops right on the dime.
35:18Wheels off.
35:20Smooth operation.
35:21Strips are off.
35:22Air jack removed.
35:23Car down.
35:246.5 seconds for Plato.
35:26And there, Phil Bennett's teammate.
35:287 seconds for Bennett.
35:30Oh, and he almost takes out Plato's team.
35:33Now, this is going to be busy.
35:34What happened?
35:34It is Plato.
35:35Plato first, then James Thompson, then Ivan Muller.
35:39It worked.
35:39It worked perfectly.
35:40And Phil Bennett back into contention in fourth place as well.
35:45Quick look in the rear vision mirror.
35:46What's going on?
35:47That's Jason Plato making sure that everything's under control.
35:50He's got cold tires, though.
35:52And look at the concentration.
35:54He knows they're cold.
35:54He knows he's in the lead.
35:56Looks in the mirror.
35:56Oh, I've got through the first three or four corners.
35:59I'm okay.
36:01Let's just hold our breath a little bit longer as Jason Plato feeds his way up through the
36:05fast-flowing left-hander up into McLean's corner.
36:09As Cox a rear wheel.
36:10James Thompson is in touch.
36:11And so is Ivan Muller.
36:13Looks like they were closing in a little bit to me.
36:15Aaron Sleit.
36:16He's doing very well.
36:17Sleit's impressed me enormously.
36:19To jump into a car which these two guys have been driving all season and run at their pace is great.
36:24And you know, if Aaron Sleit wants to make a career in touring car racing, I'm sure there are teams with contracts ready for his signature.
36:31Very tidy indeed.
36:36Dan Eves in the lead of the three of them.
36:38Then Sleit.
36:40And Steve Soper just bringing up the rear.
36:43Now, Dan Eves in.
36:44First of the Peugeots to stop.
36:46That means that Sleit's our race leader as well.
36:48Well, he'll be pleased with that.
36:49But Dan Eves makes his way down the pit lane there.
36:52The Peugeot team waiting for that 4.06 coupe to come to a standstill.
36:56Race leader Aaron Sleit.
37:00Great stuff.
37:01Remember, he hasn't had his pit stop yet.
37:02But he is leading on the road.
37:04There is no doubt.
37:05Oh, no.
37:05Phil Bennett.
37:06Well, they're usually very reliable voxel that Bennett down this afternoon.
37:09But he's getting closer to the front all the time.
37:12No problem here.
37:13Yes, that's the right front.
37:14I don't know if it's the wheel nut or whether it's the air gun.
37:16But certainly the right front not getting located back.
37:20And again, changes.
37:22Take a new nut.
37:23Try again.
37:25A moment.
37:26It's a real nightmare for the team.
37:27And that happens.
37:28Well, Dan Eves gets out.
37:29But what a long stop.
37:3033.1 seconds.
37:32You can see his frustration.
37:33He just lit up those front wheels.
37:35Rotten luck.
37:36Got to time that stop with an hourglass.
37:38Just one of those things.
37:39But very, very awkward.
37:40Dan was the leading Peugeot driver.
37:43Now, here's our leading Peugeot driver, Aaron Sleit.
37:46And he's leading the race because he hasn't fitted yet.
37:48Behind him is Steve Sleit.
37:49And then, ah, Paul O'Neill.
37:50Another problem.
37:54Now, speaking of problems, that's the safety car.
37:58Waving through one of the back markers.
37:59Moving in front of us because we're on board with Aaron Sleit.
38:02And he is the race leader.
38:03So, the safety car's picked him up.
38:05And that's the reason Phil Benner's car being pushed to safety by the marshals.
38:08Well done for me, Tommy.
38:12It was good.
38:13The car was good.
38:14Tech Speed has done a good job to get us out.
38:16So, it could be something to do with the big knockout today.
38:18So, for all in all, it's been good.
38:20Never say die attitude.
38:22Always sees the bright side.
38:24Race restart.
38:25Slide across the line first.
38:26Sober behind.
38:27Then it's Jason Plato.
38:29Then James Thompson a bit further back.
38:31And Ivan Muller.
38:34Rolling restart.
38:39Neither of those Persias are pitted yet.
38:41So, theoretically, the boys chasing him in the voxels are on fresher rubber.
38:45Yes, they are.
38:45But, of course, we've seen in the past, having fresh rubber does not always mean you're going to get past very easily.
38:50Aaron Sleit, race leader.
38:52In car with him.
38:53Down through the old hairpin.
38:55Whoa!
38:55Oh, major moment there.
38:57That's a real tank slapper.
38:59Sideway stuff.
39:00Well, he's had a few of those in his motorcycle days as well.
39:03At least in four wheels, you've got some chance of recovery.
39:06Well, very spirited driver.
39:08Plenty of colour and movement.
39:10Plenty of colour and movement down the field as well.
39:12Look at those voxels just shuffling between themselves.
39:15Jason Plato still holding out James Thompson and Ivan Muller.
39:18Quite keen, I'd say, to slide past.
39:20There's a big championship battle going on.
39:22And also a battle for who's going to be the most winning driver in a voxel this year.
39:26This is getting busy at the sharp end.
39:28James Thompson trying to line up.
39:30Jason Plato moves to the left.
39:31Plato squeezes him across to the left-hand side of the track.
39:35Positions himself well to jump straight through the chicane.
39:37They might as well just straighten that track.
39:40I mean, that chicane isn't there for anybody, really, is it?
39:42But do try hard.
39:43But to no effect.
39:45Onboard with Plato.
39:46Slide ahead of us.
39:47Just to the left of us is Soper.
39:54Climbing up through the gears.
39:57Such a hard part of the circuit on the car there.
40:00Yeah, the transmission gets a real hammering on the exit.
40:02Of course, the brakes on the entry also suffer badly.
40:06Now, Soper in.
40:08Steve Soper, the second of the Peugeaus, makes his way down the pit lane.
40:14Now, of course, his teammate of this one race is in the lead.
40:18But Soper's mind is purely on getting in and out of the pits as quickly as possible.
40:22He's seen this weekend that with just a little bit more effort,
40:25these cars could run at the front consistently.
40:29Jack's gone.
40:30Soper out of the pits.
40:317.5 seconds.
40:33And he's back in contention.
40:35Now, back at the front, Aaron Slide.
40:36I'll tell you what, the posse has really caught up.
40:39He's being climbed all over.
40:43And the Vauxhalls are trying to sort themselves out as well.
40:45Plato in the middle.
40:47Thompson on the right.
40:48Side by side of Humble that decides to inch it as well.
40:50That's really opportunistic.
40:52And clever stuff.
40:53He's through.
40:54He read that move all the way up into Copper's Corner.
40:56Thompson and Plato.
40:57Thompson in the wrong part of track.
40:59Muller, a great pass.
41:01Look at Dan Eves there as well.
41:03He's been taking jumping beams, darting from side to side,
41:05trying to get his way past James Thompson.
41:07Very much in touch, having a great race.
41:10Good run through there.
41:11And is he lining up Thompson?
41:12In the draft, down the hill.
41:15Old Aaron Slide.
41:17He mightn't have pitted, but he is not going to give these boys any space at all.
41:20If you want to get past, we do it the hard way.
41:22And the guy we're on board with is the guy to do it the hard way.
41:26Well, Peter, just watch him because he'll have a dive into Goddard.
41:29He has got the fresher tyres.
41:30He's also got the experience.
41:32Yeah, and he'll have a piece of him if he thinks he's being held up
41:35because he's got a very, very hot Ivan Muller right on his tail.
41:38James Thompson just struggling a tiny little bit just at this section of the race.
41:43Dan Eves right behind him.
41:46Down into Redgate again.
41:48Slide must be having a ball.
41:49Well, he's having a ball, but look at the two box road drivers.
41:52They're having a dance of their own.
41:55Oh, bang.
41:56Excuse me.
41:57James Thompson says, I'll have a piece of that as well.
41:59Muller slides through side by side with Plato.
42:01Let's have another look at this.
42:02Well, I mean, look at the slide way out to the left.
42:05Plato dives on the inside.
42:06I can't believe the cut that Slide made it.
42:09Bang!
42:10That's Thompson at the Plato's right-hand side.
42:12He's a cool dude, Slide, isn't he?
42:14I'm letting you past.
42:15Uh, not.
42:16Well, motorcyclists, car racers don't always take the same lines,
42:20but Slide's still got the lead.
42:22Yeah, indeed.
42:22But Ivan Muller is finally going to get through, is he?
42:25Yep, being puff of smoke, and he slides through.
42:28Aaron Slide showing that he's not going to bother about new manners
42:33because he's the new boy.
42:34He's racing with the best of them.
42:35And he's still got plenty of them around him.
42:38Plato to the left of him, Thompson to the right.
42:40Slide turns in anyway.
42:41I think there was a bit of contact there.
42:42Slide got turned around.
42:44And a big rubdown on the way past.
42:46You want to play, here's how we play.
42:48Well, the one thing is for certain,
42:49these New Zealanders don't like to be given a tough time.
42:52Remember Paul Radisic?
42:53He was pretty useful in touring cars as well.
42:56Dan Eve's pretty useful as well,
42:58trying to get down the inside of James Thompson.
43:00Looking for a way to do that in that little Goddard's loop.
43:03Just couldn't quite squeeze through.
43:06Thompson on the left, Eves on the right.
43:08And Plato just in front.
43:12Having a very good race, Dan Eve's.
43:14He certainly is, but teammate Sleight, he's in trouble.
43:16Well, here's our production leader, Simon Graves.
43:20Nice lead now over Roger Moen in the Peugeot.
43:24Jackson in that.
43:26Board focus is all over the back of Roger Moen.
43:30A little more of a cautious line by Moen through the chicane there.
43:34Not really clubbing it.
43:36Up and over the crest of the hill and down.
43:37Ah, you were right.
43:39Yeah, we saw a problem coming down that pit lane,
43:42but Aaron Sleight's day is over.
43:43But certainly, what an impressive debut.
43:46Yeah, thank you for the entertainment.
43:48Great drive.
43:48On board with Plato.
43:49That's Ivan Muller ahead of us.
43:51The whole protagonist.
43:52A little bit of a headbutt there from Jason Plato.
43:54And he's muscled through.
43:55Has he left more contact?
43:56Muller says, you've got to be kidding, sunshine.
43:58You're not getting through that easily.
44:00Well, if anybody thought this is showboating, forget it.
44:03This is real gloves off.
44:05Wheel-to-wheel motor racing.
44:06And it's working to James Thompson's favour as well.
44:08We saw him fade to the left, fade to the right.
44:10But I think he can actually spell the back of Jason Plato's Vauxhall from here.
44:14Ivan Muller burying his nose in the boot.
44:17Now, James Thompson.
44:18How close do you like it?
44:20Bear in mind, we're doing north of 100 miles an hour down here.
44:23And James Thompson has just slithered past.
44:26Down the crane of curves.
44:28Muller fights back through the old hair fit side by side.
44:30That's not in the script.
44:31You can't do that.
44:32Still side by side.
44:34Up the hill.
44:34Muller's not giving up.
44:35Neither is Jimmy T.
44:36We've got a right-hander coming up very soon.
44:38It's McLean's.
44:39Is Muller in tight enough to get it?
44:42Yes, he is.
44:43But not without a fight from James Thompson.
44:45Fabulous stuff.
44:46Real, real motor racing.
44:48But Plato, look, he's got about half a second of an advantage.
44:51And he's got that clear air to boot.
44:52First weekend in touring cars.
45:00You led the race.
45:01Yeah, it was amazing.
45:02You know, it was a bit of a shame that the safety car did come out because that was why our advantage
45:06had gone.
45:07So that was a bit of a bummer.
45:08But, yeah, it came out, it came out.
45:10And, you know, I was driving my own race here for about three laps after the safety car.
45:13And they couldn't pass me.
45:14So it was pretty good.
45:15And it came to a bit of push and shove.
45:17And I came off second best.
45:18But, you know, they couldn't pass me at normal speed.
45:20So I'm pretty happy with that.
45:21I reckon he's more than capable of a bit of push and shove himself.
45:25Here's some push and shove too.
45:27Ivan Muller, James Thompson.
45:31Now Thompson fights back on the inside through Coppess.
45:34And I reckon he might have him side by side.
45:36Plato's in the lead.
45:37We're coming down.
45:40Very tight left, right.
45:41And Muller's conceded.
45:43Again, a good pass by Thompson.
45:45He got it right coming into Coppess.
45:46Got the grip off the corner.
45:48Muller lost it.
45:49And the star back in third place.
45:51Graves coming under some pressure now.
45:56He had a very big lead over Mowen a little bit earlier on.
45:59But now he's starting to struggle.
46:01Jackson's moved up as well.
46:02That's the battle first, second, and third in production.
46:05Mowen to the left.
46:06Jackson right behind Simon Graves.
46:08And he's passed him.
46:09I don't know if this is a problem.
46:11He's just driven straight past him.
46:12Coming down into the S's.
46:15Mowen through.
46:16Graves in second.
46:17Clubs the kerb.
46:19Jackson all over the back of him.
46:21And he's passed as well.
46:23I think he's got a big problem.
46:25And Jackson, another one of these young stars.
46:27He's tutored by former touring car ace Chris Hodgerts.
46:30Well, there's the answer.
46:37Big problem there for Graves.
46:39Yeah, it sounds like an intermittent miss.
46:40Well, it's not even intermittent.
46:41It's a big miss.
46:42What a disappointment for Graves.
46:44Yeah, rotten luck because his team worked flat out to change that engine between the races.
46:48They did it in something like an hour and a quarter, hour and a half.
46:51But never mind.
46:53He was running very strongly until that point.
46:55James Thompson, he is running strongly as well.
46:57And that dice that he's having with Muller won't die.
46:59This dice between Mowen and Jackson won't die either.
47:02Very evenly matched cars.
47:04And we've seen such strong performances from Persia this year.
47:07At last, we've seen the focus do a blinding job.
47:09Not only a blinding job.
47:10He's just done a blinder straight up into McLean.
47:12Slip through.
47:13Great pass.
47:13Looks awfully, awfully easy.
47:15But fine drive from Matt Jackson.
47:17OK, now.
47:18Can Jackson hang on to this?
47:19Was Mowen holding him up or not?
47:22Tighter line by Mowen onto the back straight.
47:25But Jackson looked pretty comfortable.
47:27He's starting to look comfortable as well now.
47:28And Jason Plato served very well by that battle between James Thompson and Ivan Muller.
47:34And I think he's got the breathing space he needs.
47:36And I think all the pressure's now off because Muller is dropping back again, I suspect, from brakes.
47:42Jason Plato's car, the side of it there.
47:44Testimony to how close this racing has been.
47:48Close enough, though, for Jason Plato to take the win.
47:52James Thompson so close behind.
47:54And Ivan Muller so close again in third.
47:57After a long race like that, with pit stops and all, they're still together.
48:01Nice drive there for Dan Eves, too.
48:03Now, is he going to do it?
48:04First win for Ford Focus.
48:05He's only got one more corner.
48:07Come on, Matt Jackson.
48:08You can do it, Sunshine.
48:09Yep.
48:10He can push it home from here.
48:12Great win.
48:13Flash the lights.
48:14They will be delighted in that team.
48:15Works hard for it.
48:17Roger Mowen in second place.
48:20Now, what an eventful race that was.
48:22Jason Plato taking it out.
48:24Just James Thompson, second position.
48:28Now, Soper, Matt Jackson, Roger Mowen.
48:30Amazingly, Simon Graves actually stag at home for a third.
48:34Yeah, I'm pleased to have won that.
48:36It's quite a crucial race, that one.
48:38Bear in mind, we didn't have the right setup.
48:41But the guys on my car did a great job with the Astra in the brake between the two races.
48:45And the car was superb.
48:46It was great.
48:47Superb driving, too, and it's paid off.
48:50Jason Plato, James Thompson, only a point apart in the Drivers' Championship.
48:54Now, it is really close.
48:55Ivan Muller is going to have to keep an eye over his shoulder.
48:58Not so close in the team's championship, though.
49:01Vauxhall on top as usual.
49:03We were following Roger for a long time.
49:04I knew he had a problem.
49:06I was on the radio all the time and Chris was there just saying,
49:08just keep pressuring him, keep wearing his brakes out.
49:09And we did it.
49:10Fantastic.
49:11Absolutely brilliant.
49:13Great stuff.
49:15I'll tell you what, not a good weekend for James Kaye.
49:17And it is very tight at the front of the production ranks now.
49:19James just hanging on.
49:20Simon Harrison, Roger Mowen so close behind.
49:23And Matt Jackson starting to move into contention as well.
49:27In the team's championship, well, GR, they're up there at number one now,
49:30courtesy of Matt's good work.
49:31So that keeps it wide open, doesn't it?
49:46Wins for James Thompson and Jason Plato in the touring car ranks.
49:50And a first win for a Ford Focus.
49:51Matt Jackson in production.
49:53Great stuff.
49:54Next time out, join us north of the border, Knock Hill.