- 5/4/2025
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00:00John Watson and Charlie Cox now guide us through rounds 23 and 24.
00:07This is the control room of the Donington Park Motor Racing Circuit in the Midlands,
00:11the host circuit of the penultimate meeting of the 2001 British Touring Car Championship.
00:16Now, it's in this control room, using these monitors,
00:19that the officials will watch the day and even maybe the championship itself unfold.
00:24It's very tight at the top, the driving's very tough,
00:27they can see every part of the track from here, expect the officials to use these monitors closely.
00:32There are two races today, a 15-lap sprint and a 27-lap feature race,
00:37compulsory pit stops for the touring cars, and they must change tyres as well.
00:41Now, just a reminder, there are two protagonists in this championship,
00:45Francis' Ivan Muller, Britain's Jason Plato.
00:48They're almost locked together on points, they both drive Vauxhals, they're both teammates,
00:52and I have to tell you right now, they don't like each other very much.
00:57Look at the two mocks, they're having a dance on their own.
01:14Fuller slides through, side-by-side with Play-Doh.
01:17Dropboard with Jason Play-Doh and a big lunge!
01:19Well, the last time we were here at Donington Park, the racing was absolutely fabulous.
01:31Those lead Vauxhals running as closely together as is humanly possible,
01:35while still remaining decent.
01:37Now, just for the record, Thompson took out one race, Plato took out the other.
01:41It was very, very close indeed, right to the end.
01:44Firm but fair racing.
01:46Now, I can guarantee you today, the racing will be, well, firm,
01:49because there is so much at stake now.
01:51Jason Plato hangs on to a lead in this championship by the tightest of possible margins.
01:57It really, really is that close.
01:59Now, the circuit itself, well, racing here is always excellent,
02:02because it's fast here, it's flowing, the circuit is wide,
02:06and that provides for some really, really good overtaking opportunities.
02:09The other thing is, though, it's hilly,
02:11so there are lots of very, very tough places for these cars to break.
02:14That will be a factor here today,
02:16especially later on this afternoon during the long, arduous feature race.
02:20Cracking circuit, Donington, bang in the middle of the country,
02:37right next to East Midlands Airport.
02:40Now, this is the long circuit, the Grand Prix circuit.
02:42You can see that little dog leg down the bottom of the circuit there.
02:45That's where the Melbourne loop is.
02:46That's where it's tough on brakes.
02:47To say there's a bit of tension in the Vauxhall camp
02:51between Ivan Muller and Jason Plato
02:53is an understatement of some magnitude indeed.
02:57Just to remind you, Jason Plato and Ivan Muller
02:59had a coming together at Silverstone, last lap of the last race.
03:03The end result was Jason Plato was penalised.
03:05Now, Jason says, look, it wasn't really my fault, I'm an innocent party.
03:09Our man, the Oracle, John Watson, has viewed the tapes,
03:11he judges it otherwise, says it was Jason's fault.
03:14Now, there's only one way to sort this out.
03:16Put the Oracle and Jason Plato together in a room and let them sort it out.
03:23Jason, at the last run at Silverstone, last lap of the feature race,
03:26Priory Corner, you hit your teammate twice in that corner.
03:30I called it a professional foul.
03:32Well, at the time, I mean, you looked at the evidence that was presented to you, namely the TV.
03:38The angle didn't show everything.
03:40And there's a whole bigger picture to what went on.
03:43I found out on the Monday through looking at data logging, which I have access to,
03:47that Ivan didn't have what he'd said was a misfire for a fraction of a second.
03:52He had a massive misfire.
03:53It was caused through fuel surge, through not having enough fuel or fuel pressure drop.
03:58And the reason why the accident happened, which I contested on the evening,
04:02was Ivan just didn't accelerate off the corner.
04:05We were quite a bit slower than we were the previous laps.
04:09I was off the throttle.
04:10And at the point where the contact happened, the van should have been hard on the throttle,
04:14which, in fact, he was.
04:16But the car kept on decelerating, so I had nowhere to go.
04:19It's the last lap. We're all trying to win the race.
04:21I would have been expecting him, as any driver would in my position,
04:24expecting him to accelerate away from the corner.
04:26And he doesn't. He keeps decelerating.
04:28But that's 100% different to what I expected to happen.
04:32I like to do a night.
04:40And when you do it like...
05:10We've just got the car just there. It's good.
05:13And, you know, I want poles. There's another couple of points.
05:16I'm pleased.
05:17So how's the atmosphere at the moment after Silverstone,
05:20between the Vauxhall boys?
05:23Silverstone's been and gone.
05:25And it's Donington now.
05:32And how's the atmosphere at the moment after Silverstone?
05:36The atmosphere is not the best.
05:37But, you know, I have a good feeling with the people I like.
05:43The other ones just don't care.
05:56That was the last lap. I couldn't have done any more than that.
05:58We wouldn't have had the fuel, so I'm really pleased with that.
06:04Well, I'm happy with it. I think I can have it tomorrow.
06:12Well done, boy.
06:13Good luck.
06:14Have a fun song.
06:16Great one.
06:18Now, this is what you get for winning a race.
06:20But what does it mean to win the series,
06:22to have the championship trophy on your mantelpiece?
06:26Win the championship, that means you've done a good job.
06:29It'd be five years' worth of hard work.
06:32If I have the title or if I don't have the title, I will be the same man.
06:35And this championship is important to me as Michael Schumacher's Formula One championship.
06:42You know, this is what I'm involved in.
06:43This is my scene.
06:44You know, this is my world.
06:45And this is the sprint race, and it's a real hare and a tortoise affair.
06:50And by that, I mean no respect to these boys in production.
06:53But their lap times are a couple of seconds off the quicker the touring cars are from.
06:57Why is it hare and tortoise?
06:59Well, very simply, when the race starts and the lights go to green,
07:02these guys and the touring cars literally hare off into the distance.
07:05And our buddies back there in production are held up for 20 seconds.
07:10They're not allowed to start.
07:11The difference is, though, these cars will do an extra lap, 16 laps.
07:14The production cars will run along and do 15 laps.
07:17So there are two races going on.
07:19These guys are racing themselves.
07:21So are the production cars.
07:22But on top of that, the touring cars are trying to catch up
07:25and actually get past the production cars and unlap themselves.
07:28Now we're getting up near the pointy end of the grid, and this is interesting.
07:31There's Ivan Muller, one of the title contenders,
07:34behind his teammate Jason Plato,
07:36who is currently leading the championship and in pole position.
07:39So how about that?
07:40Plato with Muller right up his exhaust pipe
07:43and alongside Jason, Phil Bennett in P2.
07:46Could be a real spoiler.
07:47Final word on the conditions.
07:49It's getting really, really cold here.
07:51Lovely for the cars because they like the crisp weather
07:53and they will put in really, really good lap times in these temperatures
07:56as long as it doesn't rain.
07:58Famous last words, it's not going to rain.
08:00My weather forecasting is rubbish.
08:02Now there is your grid.
08:03Plato, Bennett and Muller, so close together.
08:06Eight hundredths of a second separating the three of them.
08:08Soper, Reid, Hughes and Eves.
08:10Tom Ferrier, Tommy Erdos having some problems with set-up here.
08:13And Tim Harvey.
08:14Now Simon Harrison, that qualified from him is so important
08:17because he's really neat to the points.
08:19And Tom Bordman, we heard from him already.
08:21Great stuff.
08:21Jackson Kaye, Moen O'Neill, Gareth Howell, Colin Blair,
08:25Rick Kramer and then Annie Templeton as well.
08:28A few people without times in this qualifying session
08:30because of various engine problems and changes.
08:36Eyes of purpose.
08:37Ivan Muller, P3 on the grid.
08:40That's the man who's behind.
08:41Jason Plato, our pole sitter.
08:43Lights are red.
08:44Ready for a start.
08:45Green and we're away.
08:46Plato on the left.
08:47Muller in the centre.
08:48Oh, start out as you mean to continue.
08:51Jason Plato gives Muller a tap and Muller is through.
08:53Coming in to Redgate for the first time.
08:56A bit of a touch from behind as well.
08:58Phil Bennett.
08:58Great start from him.
08:59And James Thompson who was doing well.
09:01He's been turned around.
09:02I think that was contact with Soper.
09:04He's still running.
09:05So now side by side.
09:06Down the craters for the first time.
09:08And Bennett leads.
09:09Side by side with Muller.
09:10As we see the production boys just taking up as well.
09:13Muller fights back.
09:14Bennett having another look down the inside.
09:15And he's through.
09:16Plato says, I'll go with you.
09:18Side by side.
09:18Muller, Plato.
09:20Bennett just ahead of them.
09:21Up towards Redgate for the first time.
09:23Watch for those two red Vauxhall.
09:25Side by side.
09:26Muller on the right.
09:26Plato on the left.
09:28Bits of wing mirror flying around there.
09:31Plato lunges up the inside into McLean's.
09:33There's the view from Ivan Muller's car.
09:36Plato all over us.
09:39What can we do?
09:39Turn into Coppice.
09:41Two wheels in the air.
09:42Close as you like.
09:43Well, certainly exciting stuff on the opening lap.
09:45Plato got it wrong at the start.
09:47Recovered now.
09:48Back up into second place.
09:49And there is real attitude on there in the racetrack between Muller and Plato.
09:54Well, here's Muller having another fight back down into the chicane.
09:57Plato just cuts across.
09:59Muller tries to switch back.
10:01Plums the floppies.
10:02The markers on the apex to the corner.
10:04Those Peugeots as well having a ding-dong battle.
10:06Soper and Eves.
10:08Look at them.
10:08A horde of them heading down into the Melbourne Loop.
10:10That's the view from Muller's car ahead of us.
10:12Oops.
10:13Terribly sorry.
10:14Muller just taps the back of Plato's car.
10:16Plato runs deep.
10:17Muller moves up the inside.
10:18Has he taken the spot?
10:19Yes, he has.
10:20The headbutt paid off.
10:21Up into Goddard's corner.
10:22Bennett leads.
10:23To the right-hand side of your screen.
10:25Two red voxels.
10:26And look at that.
10:27Plato shoveling Muller from behind.
10:29Muller gets pushed deep.
10:30Side by side again.
10:32Now they're on the grass.
10:33Muller's on the grass.
10:34Plato's alongside him.
10:36Bagging panels.
10:37Touching panels.
10:37Oh, big hip and shoulder there from Jason Plato.
10:42And has Muller got it?
10:43Has Plato got it?
10:45No, Eves has got it.
10:46Eves has lunged through.
10:47The two of them have held each other up.
10:49And Dan Eves, great bit of opportunism.
10:51Certainly was.
10:51Eves saw what was going on with the two voxels.
10:53But I guarantee you one thing.
10:55Plato will not be looking for a celebrity to say,
10:57I was in it.
10:57And that time Jason, well, again, guilty.
11:01That's my verdict.
11:01And he's off what he looked.
11:03Eves has just been tagged by Plato.
11:05Down into the old hairpin.
11:06Really fast part of the circuit.
11:07He's fine.
11:08Just backed off into the gravel trap.
11:10Now here's the view from Plato's car.
11:12Dan Eves leads as they come through.
11:13Crane the curves.
11:14On the brakes.
11:15And then Plato uses the parachute to slow his voxel down.
11:18Eves goes off big time.
11:20I'm out of the race.
11:21Very busy now.
11:22Here's the Eves view of how he nicked that place.
11:26A little bit of touch on both of those voxels.
11:29A bit like Peng.
11:29A game of billiards off one, off the other.
11:31Into the lead of that group of cars.
11:34But watch what happens as they come through the Crane the curves.
11:36Through the right.
11:37Down through the left.
11:39Eves coming.
11:40And then all of a sudden.
11:41Bang in the back.
11:43And it's signs everywhere.
11:45And Eves is out of the race.
11:46Well, he might have got the two points for the cannon, mate.
11:48But he's certainly got the three for in off.
11:50Eves parked at the bottom of the old hairpin.
11:52His race over, but his teammate is really very much in this.
11:55Look at that.
11:55Steve Soper in the other battle-scarred Peugeot.
11:58Doing battle with the back of Mullers.
12:02Into Copper's corner.
12:05Just feeding the power on.
12:07Great lead for Bennett.
12:08But Bennett's up and gone.
12:09Of course, he's carrying some weight from a success at Silverson.
12:12But less than we've seen from the two other voxels.
12:15Just a sight there of Dan Eves.
12:17Forlorn sight as we see Graves in the Honda leading the production battle.
12:21And here's the midfield production battle.
12:23Tom Boardman in that peak Peugeot.
12:25Driving down into Redgate.
12:27Trying to defend.
12:28And does so very well.
12:31As Rick Kramer slotting in behind.
12:32Now, here's the view from the MG of Anthony Reid.
12:35And ahead of us, we can see James Thompson and Hughes.
12:39They're going pretty well, these MGs.
12:41They've gone very well indeed.
12:42Of course, Thompson recovering from that punt off at Redgate Corner on the first lap.
12:47He's working his way back through the field.
12:50Vauxhall, Vauxhall.
12:51Then Soper.
12:52There he is in P4.
12:54Then there's James Thompson again.
12:56Those pair of MGs right behind him.
12:58Hughes.
12:59And in behind him.
13:00Just trying to thread his way through is Anthony Reid.
13:04And it's Tom Ferrier in the first of the Alphas.
13:06Followed by Tommy Erdos in the Lexus.
13:08And then Tim Harvey bringing up the rear in the touring car ranks in the second of the Alphas.
13:14Now, this is looking busy down into Melbourne Loop.
13:16Anthony Reid just sliding his way through there.
13:18Ferrier tries to run well with him.
13:20Yeah, I think he's got it.
13:21He just tags Hughes on the way past, though.
13:23Yeah, Ferrier got through.
13:25When Reid went through, Ferrier followed.
13:27And, of course, Warren Hughes on the outside of the corner.
13:29No space.
13:30Loses two positions in one corner.
13:32Yeah, and it's a really big drag up that hill again, too, isn't it?
13:35If you lose momentum.
13:37Tommy Erdos.
13:38Now the view from the Lexus.
13:39Ahead of us is Ferrier.
13:43Interesting horsepower comparison.
13:45What can he do?
13:48Long way around the outside, Tommy.
13:51And there they go now.
13:57The external viewers, they go flying down through the crane of curves.
14:01Here's a brilliant scrap going on at the same time as well.
14:04These are the lead cars, but one in production.
14:07And what a battle they're having.
14:08But the real race is between Simon Harrison and James Kaye.
14:11They're battling for the lead in the production championship.
14:15Fourth and fifth on the road right now.
14:17Well, there's the Kaye's eye view.
14:18And there's the man we're talking about.
14:20Harrison dead ahead of us.
14:21And this is deadly serious.
14:25They are so close.
14:28And there's a very big moment there for James Kaye.
14:30Very busy.
14:31Yeah, he got it wrong coming into McLean.
14:33The car steps sideways.
14:34Over to the left.
14:35Out of the throttle.
14:36Kept the car on track.
14:37But lost maybe a couple of tenths of a second.
14:39Yeah, that momentum really showing as the gap opened up.
14:43Now, Soper into the pits.
14:45Well, that looks to me like a problem.
14:47Soper, disappointment after such a good start
14:49in this sprint race this afternoon at Donington Park.
14:52On board with Simon Harrison.
14:54Bango.
14:54Hey, we're off.
14:56Off big time.
14:57Certainly is.
14:58I mean, Harrison, so suddenly he clipped the kerb.
15:00He was quite aggressive, those sawtooth kerbs.
15:03Well, that looks like, you can see underneath the car,
15:05that looks like part of the front suspension.
15:07And I just wonder, was Simon Harrison a little bit too aggressive
15:10turning into that chicane?
15:12Yeah, it's got a very big tough edge on it.
15:14Now, there's our camera hanging down rather limply
15:17on the front of Soper's car.
15:18And here's a replay of why it's hanging down so badly.
15:22Here's the Soper I view at the start.
15:24Oh, and look at Jason.
15:25He got a bit wide.
15:27Poofed Muller into the side.
15:28Muller just kept his foot in it.
15:30Got the advantage.
15:30But watch.
15:32That's someone who can see the bang, the contact.
15:34There it is.
15:34Pardon.
15:35There is the second contact.
15:36Soper with James Thompson.
15:38And did you see James Thompson's car
15:40actually rocking up on two wheels there?
15:42A very, very close track eye view.
15:45Expensive camera too.
15:46Thanks a lot, Steve.
15:47Now, there's Graves in that silver Honda.
15:49He's leading production, leading the race outright.
15:51There's Moen in the Peugeot in second place.
15:54Piper right behind him in third.
15:55And then this bloke in the second of the Hondas.
15:58That's James Kane.
15:59A man stalking for position.
16:00And he must be smiling at the moment
16:02with his arch-championship rival parked up.
16:04He's got to capitalize on Harrison's retirement.
16:07He'll want to get into one of the three podium positions
16:09to maximize this opportunity.
16:12Talk about capitalizing what he's just.
16:13Have a look at the gap already opening up now
16:15by Plato over Muller.
16:16They were banging door handles a couple of laps ago.
16:18You can see Muller's wing mirror just folded in there.
16:22But Plato, in touring car terms,
16:23has got a little bit of a comfy margin.
16:26Well, Plato certainly is very focused this weekend.
16:28His eyes are out on stalks before this race started.
16:32He's got it under control.
16:33Bit lumpy in the start,
16:35but pulling away from arch-rival Muller.
16:37Now, he might be in P2,
16:38but that's not the critical thing for Jason Plato.
16:40It's actually staying ahead of this bloke,
16:42Ivan Muller, in P3.
16:44It is very important.
16:45And Muller, he's got a problem.
16:47That's the air pipe that goes into the side of the helmet.
16:50Suddenly, it's fallen into the gap
16:51where the visor should be.
16:52Oh, one of those days.
16:53Oh, talk about one of those days.
16:55James Thompson is cruising.
16:57And one of those days for Muller.
16:58I mean, back in P3,
17:00and even the plumbing's falling out of his car.
17:03Not ideal.
17:03I didn't see what happened to James.
17:05It's rolling fine.
17:07It must be mechanical.
17:08Talk about rolling fine.
17:09Straight off the track goes old Simon Graves.
17:11Still hanging onto the leaf,
17:12but very agricultural.
17:13Yeah, down into the old heaven bend.
17:15Seem to get a little bit of a tank slapper.
17:17Onto the grass.
17:18Recovers.
17:19But, of course, he can't relax
17:20because Mohan is not that far behind him.
17:22Maybe less than two seconds.
17:24Working this car very hard.
17:25Remember we said at the start,
17:26this is the sprint race.
17:28Every lap's driven almost like a qualifier.
17:30These guys are nailing these cars
17:32lap after lap for all 15 of them.
17:35Absolutely no mercy.
17:37James Kaye, P4, valuable points.
17:40He's got to get that Alfa Romeo into his sights.
17:42He's got to get onto that podium position.
17:44Big puff of smoke there
17:45as we go down into the old hairpin with Phil Bennett.
17:49Now, this is a pretty mature drive by him.
17:52I know he's carrying less weight, as you said,
17:53but he's doing well.
17:55Well, he broke his duck at Silverson two weekends ago,
17:57so once you get that level of confidence,
17:59you can go on and win more and more races.
18:02Well, here's Piper.
18:03We're on board with Kaye.
18:05Here's the man you reckon.
18:06He's got to pass.
18:08It's all looking too easy.
18:09He must have a problem.
18:10Yeah, I think there's something wrong.
18:11Piper did not accelerate out of the chicane,
18:13and Kaye all too easy just alongside
18:15and down into the Hep and Benz.
18:20Yeah, you can hear it struggling for gears or something,
18:23but it's all falling Kaye's way.
18:24He's now up into P3.
18:26I reckon he ought to buy a luxury ticket on the way home.
18:28Well, when your luck's running for you, go with it,
18:30but don't forget Harrison's going to be out in the feature race
18:33and he will be gunning for James Kaye.
18:35And Harrison is the man leading the series in production,
18:38and this is the man leading in the production car this race,
18:41Simon Graves, this is the last lap.
18:44This hare and tortoise race,
18:46I reckon the tortoises are actually going to pull this one off.
18:48Aren't enough laps left.
18:50Coming up at the Goddard's for the last time.
18:52Graves first, Moen second,
18:55and then behind them Kaye third,
18:56just in the distance, you can see Phil Bennett.
18:58Been a close call, 20 seconds.
19:00That was the gap between the touring cars and the production cars.
19:03Not enough.
19:05Well, neat as you like.
19:06Graves first, Moen second, Kaye third,
19:08production one, two, three.
19:09Bennett just having a lunge at the line, but can't quite do it.
19:12Then Bennett first home for touring,
19:14Plato second,
19:15Muller third.
19:16What a great result that is for Jason Plato,
19:19just what he needs in this championship.
19:21There's Gareth Howell coming across the line in the focus,
19:23followed by Paul O'Neill in the 306,
19:26and Gavin Piper limps across the line as well.
19:29Nicely done, Simon Graves.
19:30He's pretty handy in that Honda, isn't he?
19:31Moen and Kaye,
19:33great result as well for Phil Bennett.
19:34Really nice to see him bank another win.
19:37And Plato and Muller, as I said,
19:38you can't say too much about the importance of those points.
19:44Came down to the old hairpin about midway through the race
19:47and had a big slide down there.
19:48It was a bit greasier than the previous lap for some reason.
19:51And I just settled back into it
19:52and just ran a steady pace to the finish.
19:54I had a nice gap from the people behind me.
19:55So I was just trying to take it steady
19:57and look after the car as much as possible.
20:01Another win.
20:02You're getting used to this.
20:03I feel like a proper driver now.
20:04You know, obviously, Jason's keen to go and get the job done
20:11so he can get as many points advantage as your van.
20:13So I'm sure Jason was pushing.
20:15And so he kept me on my toes all right.
20:21Jason, that was an amazing start to watch.
20:24What was you like to try?
20:26I was sad.
20:27I didn't get a very good start at all, did I?
20:29Yeah, it was very interesting.
20:30The first few laps, there was a lot going on.
20:32And I'm sure it would be really interesting to watch for the crowds and stuff.
20:37I think it was a great race.
20:39The thrill drove an absolute blinder.
20:40The two, three, first half was very hot.
20:49And then I was just not quick enough.
20:53What happened?
20:54You did everything right.
20:56Got the car on pole position.
20:58Yeah, most of all, there certainly are some ups and downs.
21:00You know, yesterday I qualified on pole position.
21:02I think the first person with full lead ballast to ever do that.
21:06And then today, seven laps into the race, part of the suspension brake is just a little small.
21:11I've got it, in fact.
21:11Just this little thing here just snapped off.
21:13It just holds on the rear suspension.
21:15That brakes, it all collapses.
21:17It's not a massive job to turn this one around.
21:20So there's no worries of being out for the second race.
21:22But, you know, that's 12, 15 points down the drain.
21:24And that's the big problem to me.
21:26And now I think it's for sure the championship is going to go right down to the final race at Brands Hatch.
21:30So it's going to be exciting.
21:31But I don't want an exciting championship.
21:33I want an easy one.
21:35I think the last race, the way they were tapping each other out is within the rules and regulations.
21:42But there is a line.
21:43And I think we've been close to overstepping that line a couple of times with both of them.
21:48We've had a quiet word with them.
21:50Unfortunately, there's nothing in between.
21:52So I don't think it sunk in very well.
21:55It's, you know, it's down to Toker and Bob Kettleborough to make sure that he controls the situation as well as we do.
22:02But it is difficult because you've got two great drivers going for a championship.
22:09Bob, you're watching the tape of the earlier sprint race.
22:12Can you just take us through?
22:13Yes, the procedures are that obviously we have the on-board tapes and the outside footage.
22:19Naturally, on the grounds of safety, we have to look at all incidents.
22:23And that's what we're doing at the moment.
22:25We're going through all the footage to look at any contact that took place during that race.
22:31So do you find it's a difficult line to tread, keeping the series safe and allowing it to be exciting for viewers?
22:42Absolutely.
22:43Absolutely.
22:44It's a very, very tight line.
22:46It's a tight route all the time to get it correct.
22:48And I'll tell you what, it's a tight line as well for the technicians trying to make these cars run just perfectly.
22:59Myself and John, the advanced engineer, you know, we've worked together as much as we can for the good of the car for the season.
23:07But now it's very difficult to share information.
23:12So, you know, we're both, we haven't fallen out in any way, but we keep ourselves to ourselves as far as set-up goes.
23:22Well, the eyes of a man deep in concentration and with good reason too.
23:27Ivan Muller is really up against it now as a result of that race one.
23:31Jason Plato has only gone and doubled the gap between himself and Ivan Muller, courtesy of what happened in the first race.
23:38Plato came in with a five-point lead.
23:40It's now out to ten points.
23:42What's going for Ivan Muller?
23:43Well, this time he's starting on the front row of the grid alongside Jason, as opposed to row two, as he was before.
23:49What's going against him?
23:51Well, he doesn't really like this circuit that much, to be honest.
23:53He's got a different driving style.
23:55Left foot breaker.
23:55He's tough on his brakes, and as we've already discussed, this circuit is tough on brakes as well.
23:59So, as this long feature race unfolds, it's not going to do him any favours.
24:03Jason Plato, pole position again, just what he wants.
24:06Now, I'll tell you what else has happened between the races, and you saw such a narrow gap between the races, only two hours.
24:12It's a frantic work for all the pit crews.
24:14A real revelation in the points scored back in production as well.
24:17Nine points now separating the top three drivers.
24:20With Harrison's problems, it means that Moen moves up into second place, Kay in third.
24:25Really tight tussles in production and in touring.
24:29He's giving some heat in these tyres now, behind the safety car for this rolling start.
24:33There's your grid.
24:35There are the times.
24:37Muller has really got to make this front row stick.
24:39He certainly does, and he hit a blinding start from the standing start in the sprint race.
24:44But, of course, this is a rolling start, so the advantage that Muller may have enjoyed may not be here.
24:48But he's got to get ahead of Plato and make that position stick for the race.
24:54Jason Plato, his head will be screaming with tactics.
24:57The two of them on the front row, then the next pair of voxels right behind them, James Thompson.
25:02And, of course, Phil Bennett.
25:04Safety car pulls in.
25:06Look at them at a crawl.
25:08This is a real battle of nerves.
25:10Plato sets the pace.
25:12He's the race leader.
25:12He's the man with pole.
25:16Green across the line.
25:17Rolling start.
25:18Starter was happy with it.
25:20Plato on the left.
25:20Muller on the right.
25:22The other two blocks all stalking.
25:24Now can Muller run around the outside?
25:26No.
25:26Jason's got this.
25:27Size tight line.
25:28Muller tries to switch back.
25:29Can't do it.
25:30Tommy Erdos running a little bit wide there.
25:32Vauxhall, Vauxhall, Vauxhall, Vauxhall.
25:35Then Steve Soper behind us.
25:37Now, the Muller view down into the old head bin with Jason Plato ahead of us.
25:43Very, very quick through there.
25:45Good start, though, for Jason Plato.
25:47Really made the most of his pole.
25:49Yes, he did.
25:49It was a perfect start.
25:51He got the lead.
25:51He held the lead into Redgate, and he's maintaining it all the way around the opening lap.
25:55Okay, up into McLean's now.
25:56Muller's moving in closer.
25:58Plato's moving to cover.
25:59That's okay.
26:00Then Phil Bennett, James Thompson.
26:03The MG there of Anthony Reid.
26:05Just falling a little bit out of touch with Soper, but he's really got his hands full with a gaggle behind him.
26:10Up and around Coppice now.
26:12Long, fast corner.
26:14And the drag down the back straight.
26:16Now, already, tactics coming into this.
26:18That's Muller right behind Jason Plato.
26:20Having a think about it.
26:21There's Muller.
26:22That's what he can see into the S's.
26:23We can't get any closer to this Vauxhall than that.
26:26Oh, dear me.
26:28That wasn't me going around in circles.
26:29That's our camera.
26:31Tommy Erdos just cutting short.
26:33He obviously hit one of those floppies on the way through and ripped our cameras.
26:35We're going to have a huge bill out of this today.
26:37Well, we're coming to the conclusion of the two championships this year.
26:40A lot to be won.
26:42And those that are not going to win certainly want to mitigate their losses.
26:45Yeah, that includes the boys filling out the petty cash forms for new camera lenses.
26:49Side by side up the hill again.
26:50Plato still leaves.
26:51Muller second.
26:54James Thompson has really got his hands full there in P4.
26:56Holding off Steve Soper.
26:58The advancing Soper in that.
27:00Ferja really bringing him under some pressure.
27:02Now, the first of the MGs.
27:04A little bit on his own at the moment because Anthony Reid has just broken away
27:08and is trying to catch up with this lead battle.
27:10And this battle is very hot.
27:11You can see by the tyre smoke.
27:12Oh, talk about smoke.
27:14That's Tom Ferrier, his alpha.
27:16There's a problem there, I think.
27:18Well, the can't quite see whether there's bodywork touching
27:19or whether that smoke is coming out actually from the wheel.
27:22It looks like a brake problem or something.
27:24Anyway, Ferrier is still running.
27:26OK, here's the Boardman's Eye view of the world.
27:27He's just helping Simon Graves get around the corner.
27:30Just giving him a little nuzzle and a push.
27:32Harrison up in front.
27:33Jackson in amongst this scrap as well.
27:35This is the production battle.
27:36It's fast and furious and they are as close as they were in race one.
27:39And P4 has certainly got plenty of straight line speed.
27:42The Ford Focus couldn't do nothing for Tom Boardman.
27:46Harrison's now just trying to consolidate.
27:48The man behind him is not his championship rival.
27:51It's the championship rival's teammate, Graves.
27:54And Tom Boardman in the peak, Peugeot.
27:56Well, he's really got his eye in.
27:58He's been all over a blacker rash.
28:00But some people in the pit lane are calling Simon Graves the torpedo this weekend.
28:03And I can't think why.
28:05Tommy Erdos all over the back of Warren Hughes and the MG.
28:10Peugeot, MG, Lexus, Alpha.
28:13Now Harvey.
28:14Speaking of Alpha.
28:15Tim Harvey fitting.
28:16This ain't normal.
28:17No, it's too early in the race.
28:18Harvey's got a problem.
28:20Well, the Alfa Romeo that went very well at Silverstone.
28:23Appeared to go very well in the sprint race.
28:25And that is terminal, he's out.
28:26Tough luck, but his teammate is still out there.
28:30Flying the flag for Alpha.
28:32Now here's the busy man, Simon Graves.
28:34He's got Harrison all over him.
28:36Look at this.
28:37Mowing down the inside.
28:39Ducks past Piper.
28:40Piper's having a little bit of rub with one of the focuses.
28:42That's Jackson.
28:44A little bit of friction there as they both run wide.
28:47Through the Melbourne half-in.
28:48Now we're coming up into Goddard.
28:49They're still at play.
28:50Look at that.
28:52Oh, and Jackson decides to repay the compliment.
28:54But Jackson and that yellow focus really gnawing on the back of Mowen's Peugeot.
28:58But Mowen just launched himself down the inside of the track.
29:01No racing line whatsoever.
29:03Decided to sort it out once he got there, rather than prepare for the corner.
29:07Okay, Helter Skelter into the right-hander now.
29:09Scattered all over the place.
29:11What a shuffle production pack, and so close.
29:15Now Jackson is not going to give up gnawing on the back of that Mowen car.
29:18He's still there.
29:19What a haul.
29:21Screaming down the crane of curves, one after the other.
29:23Jason Plato, meantime, is leading.
29:26But look, Bennett is starting too.
29:28Has he got past Ivan Mowen?
29:29Yes, he has.
29:31Oh, lovely day at the office, dear, for Ivan Mowen.
29:34He's back into P3.
29:35He does not need that.
29:36Not at all.
29:37I mean, you thought maybe within Vauxhall,
29:38they might have said to Thompson and Bennett,
29:40let these other two team interviewers go and sort the battle of the championship.
29:44I'd stay out of it, for Phil maybe wasn't listening.
29:46I thought they said, Phil, whatever you do, keep them apart.
29:49They're going to wreck themselves.
29:50Now Muller wants to get back on terms.
29:52Side by side up there with Phil Bennett.
29:54Bennett on the right.
29:55Muller on the left.
29:56Turning into Goddard.
29:57This is a tight corner.
29:59Bennett's got the title line.
30:00Muller's got the...
30:02Did it work for him?
30:03Hard to say.
30:04On board now, Gavin Piper, one of the front runners in production.
30:08Up towards McLean's sweeping right-hander here.
30:10Tom Boardman just ahead of us.
30:12Hey, whoa, where are we going?
30:14Well, we know where the wipers are going.
30:16There is a little bit of rain falling,
30:17but Gavin Piper is also known for his alternative lines into corners,
30:21and that one might just have caught him out.
30:24Yeah, he's not a stranger to the unforced error.
30:26A very quick driver with it, but he's kill running.
30:29That's the most important thing.
30:30Still going strong.
30:31Muller, meantime, has got his hands full big time.
30:34He's got James Thompson climbing all over the back of him,
30:37having just lost a place to Phil Bennett.
30:39Now he's getting a little bit sideways.
30:43Did he catch it?
30:44Did he catch it?
30:45James Thompson's up the inside.
30:46Muller's trying to hold the spot back.
30:48Too costly.
30:49Yeah, give Thompson half a chance he's going to be there,
30:51but you can see now in the camera lenses,
30:52the raid at Cofferson further down the track,
30:55McLean's is getting quite heavy.
30:57Yeah, Muller caught it.
30:58Nice save.
30:59But James Thompson very quickly there to capitalise.
31:02This is the view in the Redgate corner.
31:05Simon Harrison, we're just trying to slide past him.
31:07We're on board with Boardman.
31:08Side by side in the drizzle down through Crane of Curves.
31:11That's not a good recipe.
31:12Side by side still.
31:13Tom Boardman really wants this place.
31:16Simon Harrison wants to hang on to it.
31:19Plucky driving.
31:19It is good drive from Boardman.
31:21Difficult conditions, but remember Harrison also carrying the maximum weight penalty,
31:25and that's hurting him against Tom Boardman.
31:27Hang it together, boys.
31:28It's getting wetter by the minute.
31:30Be careful.
31:31Now, there's Muller.
31:33He's trying to get that place back from James Thompson,
31:35and right behind Muller.
31:37Oh, it's down the inside.
31:39Just a touch on the way through.
31:41Old hairpin.
31:42Brilliant pass.
31:43Good racing from Thompson and Muller.
31:45They went to the limit, but they gave each other room to work.
31:47But, of course, Soper, he's climbing all over Thompson and passes him.
31:50He's like a stalking fox, isn't he?
31:52Just hanging around the edge.
31:53He'll get anything that's left loose.
31:55Slip straight through.
31:57Nice work from Steve Soper.
31:58James is fighting back.
31:59Up into Coppers.
32:01I think James has got the inside line.
32:02Yep, he has to give best.
32:04Great racing.
32:04This is fantastic.
32:05We've seen the Peugeot all year improve.
32:07It's now virtually on level with the Vauxhall team.
32:10Well, a great pass from Muller, then a great pass from Soper.
32:13Soper really on a charge.
32:14I don't know what's going on with that Peugeot.
32:16We must have had the same lunch as Muller.
32:17They are absolutely charging, the pair of them.
32:20Now, James is trying to cut back and defend.
32:22He got that pretty safe.
32:25And Steve Soper, is he trying?
32:27He's trying absolutely to the limit.
32:29He went off the track.
32:30He never lifted off.
32:31The car just gave a kick in the tail.
32:33And on he went.
32:35Okay, speaking of kicks in the tail.
32:37Kick in the tail indeed.
32:38A slide in the tail for Roger Mowen.
32:41Right him, cowboy.
32:42Bouncing across the grass.
32:43Good save.
32:44Good job indeed by Mowen.
32:46Now, that's the part of track that Nigel Mansell had off
32:48in a big accident some six years ago.
32:50If you're watching Nigel, that's how it's done.
32:52Production voice showing the way.
32:54Levering it back on.
32:55Now, Muller down the inside of Bennett.
32:57Goddard tagged him.
32:58Bennett round, Muller through.
33:00It was inevitable.
33:01The two of them were racing for position,
33:02but Muller needed to get ahead of Bennett.
33:05A little bit unfair though, I was done.
33:07And that's touring car racing these days for you folks.
33:10Well, here's another look.
33:11Muller down the inside.
33:13He comes up.
33:14Bennett leaves the door open.
33:15Muller takes the chance.
33:16But the trouble is, it's only half a chance.
33:19The difference is Muller turns it in from half to a whole.
33:22I don't like that.
33:23And that's touring car.
33:24And disappointment for Piper.
33:26And it worked for him at least.
33:27Muller was through, but it was very tough.
33:29Piper, I don't know, must be a mechanical problem.
33:31Here's our first stopper, Ferrier.
33:33Tom Ferrier in the Alfa Romeo.
33:34The only one in the race remaining.
33:36Comes in.
33:37The guys do the job.
33:38Cars out of the jacks.
33:39Nice job.
33:409.3 seconds.
33:41Tom will be happy with that.
33:42Good stuff.
33:43Dan Eves, Peugeot.
33:47That looks like an oil slick.
33:49And it definitely is.
33:51Now, we are all passengers.
33:53And that includes Dan Eves.
33:54Sliding across the wet grass.
33:55Can't do a thing about it.
33:57I don't know where it's come from.
33:58But you could clearly see that light line on the track.
34:01That's something drivers dread.
34:03It's another car off.
34:04How?
34:05Now, I think he's just pulled off.
34:08Some sort of mechanical failure front left, I think.
34:11We didn't see what happened.
34:11But certainly pretty dramatic at the end of the pit straight to pull off into Red Gate like that.
34:15Talk about dramatic at the end of the straight.
34:17There's Muller.
34:18Plato has got half a pit straight lead over him now.
34:21And Simon Graves is off.
34:22That's exactly the same spot.
34:25Oh, dear me.
34:26Sliding off sideways up into McLean.
34:27He's obviously hit the same oil.
34:29That's...
34:29Here's another look.
34:30Yes, I mean, that oil sticker was much worse than we could see it in TV.
34:34But, you know, I would expect to see flags out there to warn the drivers of that incident.
34:38If they don't pay attention, then it's in their own hands.
34:41And that's the result.
34:42And here's another result.
34:43Same thing.
34:44Alan.
34:44Oh, dear me.
34:45That was as close as you'd like.
34:48Nearly eaten alive by Blair and the Alva.
34:49I think I got it.
34:50I think I got it.
34:51Slide, slide.
34:52Well, he could have been in the M40 any day of the week.
34:55There you go.
34:55It was the Honda Pendulum.
34:57Now, Bennett's going.
34:59Please, try to keep it together, gentlemen.
35:01Bennett's off.
35:02Off into the gravel.
35:03This is Copper's corner.
35:03The next corner after McLean.
35:05He's still running.
35:06Never say die.
35:07This is his trial for the Paris-Dakar team.
35:10And I think he's passed it.
35:11Well, he's back on track.
35:12But, of course, Copper's and McLean appear to be more affected by the rain than other parts of the circuit.
35:17But, yeah, as Tom Ferrier helpfully demonstrates for us, and, indeed, does Dan Eves.
35:22I mean, they don't want to play in the sand pit together.
35:24One after the other.
35:26They've all caught their way up.
35:27They've managed to get back on.
35:28But this is not British running cross championship.
35:30This is British touring car championship.
35:32It ain't pretty.
35:33It ain't delicate.
35:34But they're all still running.
35:35Now, the safety car is out.
35:36That is for any one of a number of cars that are littered around the edge of the track here
35:41after the incidents we've seen in the last couple of laps.
35:43Meantime, for the brave, here comes Phil Bennett sneaking in a stop.
35:47Is this smart?
35:48Well, I think it is brave because the team are going to win or lose this race.
35:52Bennett going back on in a wet tires.
35:53But we don't know what the track's going to do.
35:55That big tractor there, that's what they all need to be driving, these guys.
35:58That'll keep them under control.
35:59Production men coming in to change as well.
36:01That's Kay.
36:01We just saw Boardman as well.
36:03Remember, production cars don't normally pit.
36:05No, but they've both pitted to put on wet tires as well.
36:08So, it's not just Bennett on wet, you've got two of the production leaders on wet.
36:12Now, Plato's got it all to do again.
36:15This is the rolling restart.
36:17Plato in the lead.
36:18Moller in second place.
36:19Sober to the right.
36:20Thompson to the left.
36:21Same list of suspects into Redgate Corner.
36:24Sober pushing hard there.
36:26Now, talk about pushing hard.
36:28We're on board with Plato, and he's really pushing.
36:30But you've got to be so careful when the track is in this condition.
36:32It's not wet.
36:33It's not dry.
36:34That horrible, slick condition.
36:36Every input in the car, brake, steering.
36:38Be careful, Jason.
36:40He's really opened up a gap.
36:42But at what cost?
36:43Ran a bit deep.
36:44Had to recover.
36:45Muller's closed up on him again.
36:46Yes, he has.
36:47And James Thompson, great storm from him.
36:49He's really caught up to the back of Muller as well.
36:51But Plato pushed on hard.
36:53But I think he may have paid a price here.
36:54Up into McLean's corner.
36:57Plato defending.
36:59Muller attacking.
36:59Thompson trying to run around the outside.
37:01Sober trying to be opportunistic.
37:03Cars shuffling left and right.
37:05Muller, Plato.
37:06Plato, come on back in line, boys.
37:08Up a smoke.
37:09Sober's picked up the spot.
37:10Brilliant stuff.
37:11Peugeot P3.
37:12Sober doing a brilliant job for Peugeot.
37:14Really mixing it with Foxhulls in a way we've been thinking about all year.
37:18This is great stuff.
37:19And it ain't over yet.
37:20James Thompson is fighting back.
37:21But now Muller cuts down to the inside of Plato.
37:24Sober's pressuring.
37:25Oh, he's through.
37:27Brilliant stuff.
37:27The car's shuddering and squirming.
37:29Trying to wash off the speed and he hang it together.
37:32Good racing from the two lead Foxhulls.
37:34Plato could have hit it hard for Muller.
37:36He decided, no, I'll let him go through.
37:38I'm going to try and get him back.
37:39Fast and fair.
37:40Lovely racing.
37:42Now, Ivan Muller's overclubbed it a bit.
37:43Started to carry a little bit too much speed through there.
37:46He's just regrouped.
37:47Sober, Thompson fighting back.
37:48Muller moving to the inside.
37:50Goddard's a big sharp left-hander coming up.
37:52And look, Plato's on the inside just trying to slide.
37:55Luke, Sober trying to capitalise here.
37:58Hangs it in tight.
37:59Gives up.
37:59He's going to pit.
38:00Oh, they're all pinning up.
38:02Sober right into the back of him.
38:03Please form an orderly cue.
38:06Three of the lead cars in the pit lane.
38:08Jason, Plato the first to stop.
38:10There we see James Thompson.
38:11And somewhere behind us, we've got Steve.
38:14Here he comes, Steve Super.
38:16So it's going to be a battle or a race.
38:18These three teams to get their cars back out.
38:20Slicks goes back on Super's car.
38:24Steve Super, 6.3 seconds.
38:26Brilliant work from Peugeot here.
38:29He's out ahead of James Thompson,
38:30which is what he needed to do badly.
38:32Yeah, but where's Plato?
38:33Where is Jason Plato?
38:35Sober's out.
38:36As you say, Thompson's out and having another race with him.
38:39But there's no sign of...
38:40Oh, James Thompson takes an angle grinder
38:42to the side of that Peugeot.
38:44Bits of bodywork flying all over the place.
38:47Plato's still stuck in the pits.
38:49One of the wheels will not come off.
38:50And he's gone from leading this race to now.
38:53Well, there he is, just coming down the hill.
38:56Okay, he's got a big problem.
38:57And that's a nuisance, to say the least.
39:00Really playing into Ivan Muller's hands.
39:02Now, Steve Super on a real charge.
39:04Did a little bit well there with the traffic, I think.
39:06James Thompson just being held up.
39:09Giving Sober a bit of a lead now.
39:11That's a tight line from Muller.
39:12He's coming into the pits.
39:13This will unfold everything.
39:15So, Muller's got to hope that he's none of the problems his teammate had.
39:19Comes to a stop.
39:20Jack up the car.
39:21Again, Slick's going on.
39:23The front of Muller's Vauxhall.
39:25They've got to keep an eye on the time.
39:27Ivan Muller wants to get out.
39:28He's got to be out.
39:29Well, just under 8 seconds.
39:317.9 seconds.
39:32That's what we would have expected from Plato.
39:33But those, what, nearly 6 seconds advantage now Muller's got.
39:37Have been a present from heaven.
39:39Talk about presents from heaven.
39:41The car you saw, the black Alfa, Tom Ferrier.
39:44He is leading this race outright.
39:46Remember, he had the Sammy to make an early pit stop.
39:48And an Alfa now leads this race.
39:50Great stop.
39:53Soper threading his way through.
39:56Past these slower production cars.
39:58Now Soper attacking.
39:59Just getting down the inside of Reid.
40:01And running a little bit deep in the process.
40:03Where is he?
40:03Coming back.
40:04Yep, there he is.
40:09Sounds sweet.
40:10Oh, there's James Thompson sliding through as well.
40:12Here's me admiring the V6 motor.
40:15Completely forgetting all about James Thompson.
40:17And there's now side-by-side.
40:18Soper runs a bit wide.
40:19Thompson up the inside again.
40:21Fabulous view courtesy of the MG of Anthony Reid giving us the pictures.
40:25And Thompson's through.
40:26Yes, good drives of Thompson.
40:28Of course, Soper went wide in McLean.
40:29He gave Thompson the opportunity.
40:31And once you've given the guy they got an opportunity,
40:33he's going to take it and make it stick.
40:35I don't reckon anybody's had a position that's stuck for more than one lap here.
40:38All these positions shuffling and shuffling again.
40:41And just when I tell you that,
40:42we see Anthony Reid slide back through.
40:44And Soper's off.
40:45Why can't I keep up with this?
40:46Soper's outbraked himself or been tapped.
40:48I don't know which.
40:50Looked to me like he had a problem under braking.
40:51Reid went past him about 20 miles an hour quicker.
40:54And I think Soper's got a rear brake problem with this pressure.
40:57Okay, now where are we?
40:58Let's tie the green group.
41:00There's the man with a problem.
41:01Jason Plaino.
41:02He's now back out and running.
41:03He was leading the race before all of the pit stops started.
41:06Now nothing.
41:07Warren Hughes, MG, pitting.
41:09Hughes doing a very good job in this season with the MG team.
41:12Well, certainly racing, of course, famous and turning car circles.
41:16They run the cars on behalf of MG.
41:187.9 seconds for Warren.
41:20Back out onto the circuit now.
41:22Nice stuff, guys.
41:23Now, Matt Jackson, leading production.
41:26Down into the old hairpin.
41:27Turns in tight.
41:29Ahead of us, that's John B&Q.
41:30Oh, dear me.
41:33It's nowhere to go.
41:34Well, what was not all about it?
41:35I mean, John B&Q was driving slowly around the exit of the old hairpin.
41:39Matt Jackson, on a charge, has to back off the back end step.
41:43So, tags the back of the Honda.
41:45And that's it.
41:47Well, there's Ferrier.
41:48Still leading this race in the Alfa, which is brilliant to see.
41:52That John B&Q incident.
41:54B&Q is running around here about 15 seconds a lap slower.
41:58As we just see, Jason Plato pick up that spot again from Anthony Reid.
42:03B&Q has been crawling around the track, running very, very slowly indeed.
42:08Medic's down there to have a look at him.
42:10I trust he's okay.
42:12Heavy damage around the offside rear of that Honda.
42:16Well, safety car is out again while they attend to John B&Q.
42:20Lovely bloke, John B&Q.
42:21But you've got to ask yourself why he was running around so slowly out there.
42:27Obviously a problem with the car.
42:28He was caught from behind.
42:29But even so, you're asking for trouble at those sort of speeds.
42:32It's been one of those races.
42:36I mean, we made a pit stop early.
42:38Everybody else counted on it raining, which was the wrong tactic.
42:40You know, if you've made a pit stop before the safety car comes out, your quid's in.
42:44But, of course, we've lost any advantage we gain now because of the safety car again.
42:48So, it's difficult.
42:49But the laps are counting off.
42:52It's not inconceivable we could finish the race under the safety car, in which case the Alfa's first victory.
42:57But it's going to be tight.
42:59Well, victory or not, they've covered themselves with glory already, I think.
43:02A very good showing.
43:04Across the line for the restart.
43:06And the Alfa is leading across the line.
43:08Yvonne Muller is right up its exhaust pipe.
43:10And James Thompson wants to follow suit as well.
43:12Well, 15 seconds of fame for Tom Ferrier because Muller is now straight through.
43:18Ferrier in second.
43:19Thompson now starting to challenge as well.
43:23There goes Jason Plato.
43:24Oh, a ferry is pulling off.
43:30Engine's gone, engine's gone.
43:32Well, there's the word.
43:33Blown engine, the ferry tail over.
43:35I thought they'd have that problem fixed.
43:37But it's reoccurred here at Donington Park.
43:39Well, real disappointment, but surely some smiles on the Alfa camp today, nonetheless.
43:45Now, Muller Thompson.
43:47Thompson starting to really, really min.
43:50There's Jason Plato.
43:52And then great showing there.
43:53Plato and Reid in the MG having a ding-dong battle.
43:57Plato lunges to the inside to cover off.
44:00Tommy Erdos in the Lexus having a scrap there as well with Phil Bennett.
44:03Well, Bennett back on slicks because he took advantage of that first safety car
44:07to go back in for the second time, take the wets off.
44:10Put a set of drives back on.
44:12Now, James Thompson really working very hard to get past Ivan Muller.
44:16That is not what Ivan needs at all because he is trying to get maximum points to close up
44:19on the very handy lead that Jason Plato has built up courtesy of race one.
44:24Tommy Erdos having some good sport there with Phil Bennett.
44:26Now, on your right-hand side, there's Plato.
44:29And the MG is through.
44:31Anthony Reid slips down the inside.
44:33That's not what Jason needs.
44:34Tries to fight back.
44:36Nice stuff.
44:37Well, it's certainly not the script that we see an MG overtaking.
44:40The champion leader's voxel.
44:42Plato really under pressure right now.
44:44Tony's got the script back in his hands again.
44:46Get me back to the page.
44:47I'm on.
44:47I get past you just here, right?
44:49Not a bit of it, says Reid.
44:50He's now trying to fight back again.
44:51Swap and swap again.
44:52Pretty experienced stuff from a pair of them.
44:54Indeed, Reid with the V6 from MG.
44:57Plato with the four-cylinder voxel.
44:58Nothing to pick and choose down the straight.
45:00Yeah, or into Redgate Corner either as Reid just sticks his nose inside.
45:03That could have ended in tears.
45:05I drew a breath then, but Jason Plato hangs onto it.
45:07And Reid hangs onto the back of Plato.
45:10Now, let's see how they go down through the Craners.
45:17Running a little bit wider is Anthony Reid.
45:19And I think it's actually cost him a bit of time
45:20because Bennett is moving up on the inside of him.
45:22On the inside of contact.
45:24Bennett, then he drives over the top of him.
45:26Reid spins.
45:27Can he hold it?
45:28Oh, forget it.
45:30Right rear's off.
45:30Yeah, right rear's being damaged.
45:32The rear suspension in that contact.
45:34Reid was walk-line coming down the greater curves,
45:36trying to get back again, but Bennett had the momentum.
45:39He wasn't prepared to concede momentum.
45:41He just kept his boot in it.
45:43Made contact.
45:43But then, whack, there.
45:46Left rear to right rear.
45:47That's what caused.
45:49Look, you see the wheel?
45:49That's Anthony Reid's rear suspension.
45:51As it should not be.
45:53It's broken.
45:54Yep, those cars bouncing into each other like castanets.
45:58Oh, serious stress.
46:00Anthony Reid joined and blimey hit me.
46:02Park the car.
46:05Park the car.
46:07Don't crash it.
46:08I think that's perfectly clear, don't you, from the team boss to Phil Bennett.
46:12I've never had a father talk to a son like that.
46:14Let alone a team manager talk to his driver.
46:16Get out of the car, put your hands on the roof and don't move.
46:19Phil Bennett being told in no uncertain terms there not to risk the car by limping back with damage.
46:24Now, we're coming up on the last lap.
46:26There's Ivan Muller right behind him, James Thompson.
46:29Now, Muller is leading this race.
46:31About to paint some major points.
46:33It's hard to work out how he got to the lead.
46:34He was nowhere a little while ago.
46:36Basically, the team have gifted Muller this win.
46:38Plato has been the victim of a sticky wheel nut.
46:42And that's tough.
46:44Ivan Muller will be smiling, flashing his headlights.
46:47He'll be very pleased with that indeed.
46:48Muller first.
46:49James Thompson second.
46:50That's even more of a spoiler.
46:51And here comes Jason Plato in P3.
46:55And Tommy Erdos looking at the Lexus.
46:57A fourth place.
46:58But leaves this championship wide open.
47:00But by the way the posers have been coming on song.
47:02And we're saying also now the AMG is coming in.
47:04What a great championship it's turning into.
47:06Turning into a good championship for this man as well.
47:08Roger Moen.
47:09He's about to win the production class.
47:11And in doing so, vault himself right into the title hunt in production.
47:15Just ahead of his teammate, Simon Harrison.
47:17Simon Harrison is going to be P2 in production.
47:19But he is still leading the production championship.
47:22And Jackson there in the focus.
47:24Well, he limps across the line in spite of his contretemps earlier with John B&Q for P3.
47:29Big sigh of relief for Ivan Muller.
47:31Then James Thompson helping by coming in second ahead of Plato.
47:33Great result for Tommy Erdos.
47:35Top four.
47:36And then Dan Eves, Roger Moen and Simon Harrison.
47:38Three Peugeots.
47:39And for a change, the safety car seemed to help you.
47:47Yeah, for a change, yeah.
47:49Because I remember at Croft I had five safety cars and it wasn't helping me.
47:53Here was a bit more in my favour, yeah.
47:56And of course, it's all to play for at Brands.
47:59Yeah, all to play for at Brands.
48:01And yeah, today the log was a bit more on my side.
48:05And I hope we'll keep going like this until the end.
48:08It was a shame that the pace car came out, to be honest with you.
48:11Because the way we set the car up, we knew it would be difficult in the early part of the race.
48:15But we thought we'd be very strong at the end.
48:18And we were catching Ivan.
48:20You know, it was all going according to plan.
48:22And unfortunately, the pace car came out and didn't leave me enough time at the end to have a go at him.
48:28You know, I came here to do my absolute best.
48:29And I did my absolute best.
48:30And unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side.
48:32So, what can you say?
48:33You know, the battle resumes at Brands.
48:35And down to the wire indeed it will be.
48:47Jason Plato will go into that challenge just with an important lead of half a dozen points.
48:51Then James Thompson and Phil Bennett out of the title hunt.
48:54Eve Soper, Erdos and Tim Harvey rounding out your top eight in the Touring Team's Championship.
49:00Well, Vauxhall have been so strong all year.
49:02No surprises there for Vauxhall Motorsport.
49:06Yeah, that was fantastic.
49:07I can't believe it.
49:08I think I had some luck also.
49:10But starting from seven and win, that was great.
49:14And it's all to play for at Brands.
49:16Yeah, I mean, I'm not sure how many points there are between mine and Simon.
49:19But I think it's down to six or something.
49:21So, it can be interesting.
49:23Interesting indeed.
49:24Roger Moen really turning things on their ear.
49:27Look at that.
49:27Up into second place, right behind his teammate in the title hunt.
49:31And James Kaye on 198 has really got it all to do.
49:34In the team's championship, well, GR Motorsport still in front.
49:38After that entire eventful weekend, that enormous set of races today, we leave Donington Park almost as we arrived.
49:53With Britain's Jason Plato just a handful of points ahead of France's Ivan Muller in the 2001 British Touring Car Championship.
50:01The entire series is going to be decided at the last round of the year, Brands Hatch.
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