- 5/4/2025
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00:00Never dull, was it? But you have to remember it was a transition year between the regulations of
00:11super touring and the new look British touring cars. So the organizers brought in a second
00:16class production cars. Now to be honest that was really just to bolster the grid, but it's
00:21worked better than anyone could have imagined because as we come into the last round today,
00:25both the production title and the touring car title are undecided. Couldn't get closer than that.
00:31Tied at the top of the championship and they're going to decide it on a tight circuit. It's the
00:36Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent. Very short, guarantees close racing. Not all the driving
00:42was like this. The first race of the year right here at Brands Hatch really set the scene for the
00:47whole year. Muller and Plato and a close finish. The championship seesawed between the two drivers
00:57all year, but it was Plato who originally got the upper hand. Good race, Jake. Very good. Well done. Thank you.
01:11And then it was on to Ireland and problems for Jason Plato. That saw Muller edge in front. It's a
01:28puncher. We can see it's a puncher. Bring the car in slowly. It's a puncher. And then to Scotland and
01:38Ivan Muller retired with power steering failure. Now that was a move that was to cost him his
01:43championship lead. Power steering fell off. I tried during three laps to carry on, but when the power
01:51steering goes off, it's impossible to turn. At Alton Park, the pressure was really on for
01:58both of them. And it was actually quite a surprise to see who cracked first. Since then, there's been
02:18virtually nothing between them. And we come into these final two rounds with only six points separating
02:24the two drivers. That's to Plato's advantage. No wonder that lot are here to watch. As close as I've
02:31seen it in qualifying, no wonder with so much to play for, including points for pole position.
02:37But I tell you what, there were some smiles on some new faces for this championship as well.
02:41Big ones.
02:54Good results for sure because I think Plato is on the back. I am on the front
03:12Good result, for sure, because I think Plato is on the back, I am on the front
03:24roll for both races, for sure, I think it's a positive result.
03:32It's nothing in it, you know, it's just one of those things, you get the lap or you don't.
03:37Clearly, I didn't get the best out of what I had, I mean, I didn't have the exact balance
03:41I wanted in the car, but it wasn't far off, but, yeah, I mean, I'm up there, I can race.
03:51I'm learning all the time and just, it's very satisfying, it's nice to finish qualifying,
03:55you know, the last race of the season with that result.
03:58Just as much to play for in production qualifying and just as big a surprise too.
04:11I'm going to have to torture you, I'm afraid.
04:29My mates are going to kill me or when they see this.
04:32You just tell me.
04:35I don't know what, I mean, I creatively visualised doing something like this, being quick here,
04:40but, I mean, I just thought I had one chance and I knew it was going to happen and I just
04:45went for it, I went flat round there, I've never been round there flat in my life, over
04:48the grass, come round pole position, so use the grass, anyone who wants to start racing,
04:52it's brilliant.
04:53What a great job Vauxhall have done this year.
05:00The start of the year, two separate teams, four drivers, but Jason Plato and Ivan Muller,
05:06they're the two that have come down to Brands Hatch the last two races with just four points
05:10between them.
05:12The team also have done their bit because they've allowed Plato and Muller to race flat
05:15out and we've seen some of the races where, well, I've been controversial and some of my
05:20comments probably as controversial as we've seen on the track.
05:23Let's hope the two races today see the victory being won on the track and not on the steward's
05:28office after the event.
05:34Is it stressful on the front row of this grid?
05:36Is it what?
05:38This is it, guys.
05:39In the left corner, Britain's Jason Plato.
05:42In the right corner, France's Ivan Muller.
05:44They are three one-hundredths of a second apart.
05:47To celebrate the end of the championship, by the way, as you can see, they've decided to
05:50paint both of these cars blue.
05:52Well, why not?
05:54Jason Plato is only four points now ahead of Ivan Muller because of Muller's stunning qualifying
06:00performance.
06:00Absolutely brilliant stuff from him.
06:02These MGs are running very powerfully as well this weekend, as we've already seen with
06:07Warren Hughes so far up the grid.
06:09It's very busy on this grid and, as I said, tense as you like.
06:13The pair of Alphas here.
06:15Then the Lexus of Tommy Erdos.
06:17In come the Peugeots now.
06:19Dan Eves has had a terrific qualify, by the way.
06:21Really good.
06:22Further up the grid than his teammate.
06:24Hey, Tommy.
06:25Tommy Erdos not driving the Lexus this weekend.
06:27A stand-in driver just for the once, Mr. Sutcliffe.
06:30Now, production guys, they never fail to surprise, do they?
06:33Paul O'Neill, as we've said before, pole position.
06:35Brilliant stuff from him.
06:36Remember, he's never won a race.
06:38As I said before, production championship also resolved this weekend.
06:42There's protagonist number one, Simon Harrison.
06:45James Kay, a row back in the Honda.
06:48Now, James has really got to get his act together.
06:50Must make the really, really hot result this weekend, or this race, rather, if he's to hang in.
06:55And then further back, Roger Moen.
06:57He's the other title hunter in the second of the Peugeots.
07:01All of the production and the touring cars will set off at the same time for this race this afternoon.
07:05But remember, the touring cars have to do an extra lap.
07:10Told you it was tight.
07:12The first seven cars on the same one-tenth of a second in qualifying time.
07:17Eves Bennett and Soper, all the way down to Steve Soper, on the same tenth of a second.
07:22Then Harvey Ferrier and Sutcliffe, a little bit further back, making his touring car debut.
07:26Paul O'Neill, terrific pole for him.
07:28Graves and Harrison, just where you'd expect them to be.
07:30And Piper as well.
07:32Jackson Kay, boy, he needs to be a bit further up than that.
07:35Roger Moen would like to be further up the grid as well,
07:37because he's yet another one of those title contenders for production.
07:42Back around they come.
07:45Very tricky place to start here, Brands Hatch, as you can see just from that angle as we look at Ivan Muller preparing himself.
07:52It's very, very steep.
07:53Lights red, green, and they're away.
07:55Look at Jason Plato coming downhill.
07:57Muller up the inside.
07:58Plato's ball in front of him.
07:59Has he, has he, side by side.
08:00Yes.
08:01Plato is through into the lead.
08:03Muller in second place.
08:04Thompson in P3.
08:05And there's contact there.
08:07That's Hughes in the MG.
08:09Big sideways there.
08:10Got tagged on the way down.
08:11Nice save.
08:12Tom Boardman there in the pink Peugeot in the background.
08:14Also having a real tank slapper.
08:16And have a look at that.
08:17Dan Eves has now split them.
08:19Ivan Muller needs this like a third armpit.
08:22All of a sudden, pole position down to P3.
08:24And he's trying to hang on to that championship.
08:27Eves runs wide.
08:29Now Muller's back again.
08:30Okay, that's one spot back.
08:31But is it?
08:32Now we're on board for James Thompson.
08:33So it's three voxels in a row.
08:36Eves in behind us.
08:37As we come round through clear ways and onto the straight for the first time.
08:41There's Dan Eves now.
08:43Banging wheels with Tim Harvey.
08:45What a cracking start for Plato.
08:47What I never understand is why pole position should be on the inside of the track.
08:51The camper's wrong.
08:52Plato got the run.
08:53Got the lead.
08:54And he's a lot from running.
08:56Now remember on that opening lap we saw Hughes sideways pick time.
08:59Here's what happened.
09:00Hughes comes from Bennett's blind side.
09:02Turns across the front of them.
09:04Contact occurs.
09:05Hughes goes sideways.
09:06Bennett goes on.
09:07And that wasn't the only action as well as it was.
09:09We see Sutcliffe there stalled in the Lexus.
09:11Here's a replay at the production start.
09:13Look at Jackson just trying to melt the back of Simon Harrison's Peugeot.
09:17But in that forward focus he does not give up.
09:20Watch what happens next.
09:21Down through Batikill.
09:22Excuse me.
09:23Oh.
09:23Room there for a small one.
09:25Slither, slither, slither.
09:26Picks up about three places.
09:28This incident occurred because Sutcliffe stalled.
09:30Everybody spreads out.
09:32Fans out.
09:32Jackson finds himself with nowhere to go except the barrier on the right and a car on his left.
09:37I don't know how that barrier did not come straight through the window.
09:40Now here's another look from Roger Moen's car a bit further back.
09:43There you see Sutcliffe's Lexus stranded in the middle of the track.
09:46Cars to the left, cars to the right.
09:48Jackson up the back of the Peugeot.
09:50And then it goes on.
09:51It's like an amusement ground ride but it doesn't end there.
09:54Look at Boardman.
09:55Well Tom just suddenly let it off the throttle.
09:57And you get that Peugeot snap oversteer.
10:00But what a great job he did to keep it on track.
10:02Yeah.
10:02Terrific save.
10:03Start out as you mean to continue Tom.
10:06And look just on the left.
10:08That's one of the Alphas.
10:08Into the barrier as well.
10:10He's in squeeze side.
10:11Dave Allen's handle is off.
10:12And Carlisle Renault all three off track.
10:15Now that was confusing.
10:16Back in real time.
10:17This is the lead of the Tourers.
10:20Now there's Phil Bennett.
10:21Still locked in a scrap there with Steve Soper.
10:23Tim Harvey behind.
10:25And then the pair of MGs after that.
10:27I remind you at the sharp end of this.
10:30As you see Reid just having a peek down the inside.
10:32Not ruined.
10:33There's Plato.
10:34There's Muller.
10:35There's Thompson.
10:36There's Eves.
10:37There's Bennett.
10:38That's the front end of the Touring Car grid.
10:40Here's the man who's in P2.
10:42And where he really needs to be is P1.
10:44Indeed he does.
10:45He's behind Plato and points.
10:47He's got to get ahead of him to keep his championship hoops alive in this sprint race.
10:51Yeah.
10:52He's driving for the series.
10:54I'll tell you what.
10:55He might have lost position at the start.
10:57And Jason Plato did get a screamer of a start.
11:00You know I think he's starting to claw his way back.
11:03When you've done all the hard work at qualifying.
11:05Get pole position.
11:06Then lose it at the start.
11:08It's disappointing.
11:09But if you need any motivation.
11:11It's right ahead of you, Ivan.
11:13It's Jason Plato.
11:14And if you want a time motivation.
11:16There's the gap that starts to open up.
11:18Muller and Plato already easing out over James Thompson.
11:21Now Thompson is no slouch.
11:22But these two with a championship at stake.
11:24Well they are just driving the doors off these cars.
11:27And there's another way to drive the door off the car.
11:29Actually get a bit of contact with it.
11:31MG Alpha Alpha MG.
11:32Warren Hughes right behind him.
11:35Tim Harvey right behind him.
11:36Tom Ferrier his teammate.
11:38Ferrier looking to push.
11:39And Anthony Reid stalking the four of them.
11:41Ferrier lunges down the inside.
11:43He's got it.
11:44Oh cocking a wheel up.
11:45Reid's through as well.
11:46Tim Harvey loses two places.
11:48Strange move for Tim Harvey.
11:49Normally he covers every part of the race track.
11:52But well done for Ferrier.
11:53A problem for Ferrier.
11:54Look straight away.
11:56Oh he gets a clip under the ears from his teammate on the way past.
11:59And it's all over.
12:05Yeah that looks pretty serious.
12:06Certainly engine oil smoke.
12:09Well that was the word.
12:10Thinks his engine's gone.
12:11Real shame because he was on a charge.
12:13Back at the front.
12:14This battle's getting even tighter.
12:16Woody have a look at that.
12:17Muller is really on his tail.
12:19There's pressure on both these drivers.
12:21Plato not to make a mistake.
12:22And for Muller to force Plato to make that one mistake.
12:25He needs to get into the lead.
12:26Look how hard they're driving.
12:27Muller is actually threatening now.
12:29He's having a lunge down the inside.
12:31This is not intimidation.
12:32He is looking for a place to pass.
12:34Working so hard.
12:35They're running wide over the curbs.
12:36Tom B&Q takes to the trees to get out of the way.
12:39Spots of rain.
12:40Yes it is.
12:41You can see in some of those high cameras.
12:43Rain spots.
12:43So rain is beginning to fall.
12:46Okay.
12:46Back markers as well.
12:49Wood in the Proton.
12:50Does not need these two.
12:52Climbing all over him.
12:52And this is a lunge.
12:53This is a chance for Muller.
12:54Muller down the inside.
12:55Over the curbs.
12:56You can feel it.
12:57Taste it.
12:57Got to get past him.
12:59So close.
13:00But interestingly and to his credit.
13:02Muller could have taken Plato out.
13:04But he didn't.
13:05He's fair about this championship.
13:08Good clean stuff.
13:09Good pressure stuff.
13:10Jason Plato.
13:10Headlights ablaze.
13:11Now this is adventure.
13:12Muller around the outside.
13:14You've got to be joking.
13:15Jason just holds him off.
13:17Jason moves to the inside.
13:18Afan to the left.
13:19Trying to run around the outside of Druid.
13:21You've got to be kidding there as well.
13:22Can he load him up on the slingshot?
13:24Cut back down the hill.
13:25Still really close.
13:27All over him in fact.
13:28Dev under brakes.
13:29A hard left.
13:29He won't look here.
13:30It's too tight.
13:31Trying to get a better run out.
13:33Really on the power now.
13:34Looking down the inside.
13:35We're going to clip left in a minute.
13:36Oh and it's a huge off.
13:38That's Steve Soper.
13:39That is a massive accident.
13:41That is enormous.
13:42The left front feels off.
13:43The bodywork of the car is off.
13:45Soper has gone.
13:46And thank goodness Steve Soper steps out of the car and unaided.
13:50But that is a massive shunt.
13:51What on earth was that about?
13:53No prizes for guessing why the safety car is out now.
13:56Here's a look.
13:58On board with Reid.
13:59It's really just too far ahead.
14:01You just see Soper going into that barrier.
14:04What a bang.
14:05Now here's Phil Bennett's view.
14:06It was contact with Phil Bennett.
14:08Right rear of the Peugeot.
14:12Left front of the Vauxhall.
14:14Here's the other view from on board with Dan Eves.
14:16Well Bennett's on the right hand side.
14:18Soper is cutting from left to right.
14:19Contact occurred.
14:21It's a tough call.
14:22Both drivers could have lifted it off and avoided that incident.
14:25And it's really thrown a cat among the pigeons as well.
14:28Because our race leader Jason Plato is diving in now to change onto wet tyres.
14:32We saw the track getting wetter.
14:33He's taking a gamble.
14:34No sign of Mulligan.
14:35No, Muller will follow whatever Plato does.
14:38And since Muller isn't a meteorologist to my knowledge, he's just got to shadow his teammate and go with wet as Plato is doing.
14:46Must be tempting to think, well, maybe Plato's getting it wrong and have an all or nothing gamble.
14:51Safety car still had it.
14:52It is getting wetter.
14:53That's making the decision easier.
14:54And there it is.
14:55No big surprise.
14:56Muller comes in now.
14:57But we've got to see.
14:58Can these guys get Muller right quicker than they got Plato right?
15:01His time was 14 seconds.
15:03Anything less than that could see Muller into the lead of the race.
15:07Well, 13, 14.
15:09Well, 14.2.
15:10Not good enough, Ivan.
15:12Not bad for four tyres, though.
15:15So, rain getting heavier.
15:18Field trying to bunch up.
15:20There goes Plato.
15:21And there's Muller.
15:22So, the natural order, if you want to call it that, is presumed.
15:26Now, on my reckoning, everybody in the touring car ranks has made a pit stop except Anthony Reid.
15:33Well, when a driver makes a decision like that, he's going to be either a hero or a zero because conditions are deteriorating very quickly.
15:40Well, it might have suited them texting on to wet, but it certainly made the job of explaining all of this complicated.
15:45There he goes.
15:46Plato behind him.
15:47Ivan Muller.
15:48Now, it's Jackson right up in front there, just moving to one side in the Ford Focus.
15:53Paul O'Neill in behind there.
15:54The production cars.
15:55Remember, back in the field somewhere, but almost a lap ahead as we look at the damage to the right-hand side of Jackson Focus there.
16:02Clubbing the barrier earlier on.
16:04Ahead of us, almost a lap ahead in the driving rain in this horrible weather on slick tyres as Anthony Reid.
16:10Now, the big question is, can these two, Moore, Plato, catch him, get past?
16:16Well, it's going to be tough.
16:17They're on wet tyres.
16:18They've got the grip.
16:18But, of course, look, Muller.
16:19New wiper's working.
16:21Pages are working.
16:21But Muller's having a restriction in his vision.
16:24Very difficult to drive in these conditions without your wipers.
16:27Yep.
16:28That track looks very, very greasy.
16:31Getting wetter by the minute.
16:32The weather it gets, the worse it'll be for Anthony Reid.
16:35Now, look at it.
16:35It's absolutely sheeting down.
16:37And they're well, well north of 100 miles an hour right across the start-finish line here.
16:41Down on the brakes.
16:45Drop a couple of gears.
16:47Now, remember, before this safety car, before all of this started, Muller was absolutely breathing down Plato's neck.
16:54If anything, Jason looks as though he's getting a bit of an advantage here.
16:57And ironically, it's these conditions where we normally expect Muller to shine above everybody.
17:02Well, the man who's shining above everybody at the moment.
17:06We just saw he flash past this.
17:07Tom Boardman.
17:08And a boy.
17:09Catch it.
17:10The other way.
17:10Come on, Tom.
17:11You can do it.
17:11And again the other way.
17:13Follow the pendulum.
17:14An absolute tank slap.
17:16Explorative air.
17:17Second one in the race for Boardman.
17:19I'll tell you what his pacemaker's going to be doing.
17:21Giving him trouble after this.
17:22Mine is.
17:23Reid just slithers through there past Jackson.
17:26Anthony Reid is our race leader.
17:28Anthony Reid is on slick tyres.
17:29As it is getting wetter.
17:31So is Matt Jackson on slick tyres.
17:33As is Mourn.
17:34Some of the production cars have stopped for wet.
17:36Some have stayed out.
17:38And it's playing to the advantage of Jackson at the minute.
17:41Well, having a look at Matt's car.
17:42He's got nothing much to lose.
17:43Not a straight panel anyway.
17:45Anthony Reid just delicately balancing that car.
17:47Flooring his way out.
17:49Now down the far straight.
17:50This is the tricky bit, Waddy.
17:52Slick tyres and this rain.
17:53Where to stop for Paddock Hill?
17:55But also because of the camber on the circuit.
17:57Look how steep it is.
17:58You get rivers of water running across.
18:00Aquaplaning is now going to be a major feature for Reid, Jackson and all.
18:04Wouldn't want to walk across, let alone drive down it.
18:07Tim Harvey.
18:09There's Stephen Sutcliffe having an absolute baptism of fire.
18:13In that Lexus.
18:14Go.
18:15And he's gone off piste.
18:17Come on fella, back you come.
18:18It's not over yet.
18:20Stephen Sutcliffe, the journalist in this race.
18:22More accustomed to driving TBRs.
18:25Wonders anybody told him he's in the Lexus this afternoon.
18:27I reckon this sort of weather, he's more accustomed to watching it in the press box.
18:31Now Anthony Reid staying well clear of those curbs.
18:34Being very careful.
18:35Matt Jackson.
18:36Graves in the Honda.
18:39Half a demisted window.
18:40The other half not.
18:41He's obviously not worrying about looking out of the left there.
18:43Fine for right-hand corners.
18:45Horrible for left-handers.
18:46Fortunately, a right-hand circuit for old Matt Jackson.
18:53Now here's Ivan Muller.
18:54Where's Plato?
18:54There's Plato.
18:55And I reckon he's easing out a gap.
18:57Yes, you can see the gap has extended.
18:59It was under a half a second now.
19:01Plato's eeked that lead out.
19:03And I suspect it's all to do with Murrow's wipers not working.
19:07And he's typically seeing where precisely to place his car.
19:11And over Padigel again.
19:13Ivan Muller can feel the latch tickling through his fingers.
19:16And he can feel the championship doing exactly the same.
19:18Now we're on board with Anthony Reid.
19:20And we're off track as well.
19:23And back on again.
19:23Just slithering off.
19:25Not being able to get grip.
19:26That was bad recovery.
19:27You can see the sheen in the rotors that come through Graham Hillbend.
19:30He just aqua-planed off.
19:31Same as this bloke.
19:33Slithering up through the sign up towards the barrier.
19:36Ooh, that'll hurt.
19:37Big hit.
19:38Oh, and as well.
19:41Oh, dear me.
19:42Roger Mowen just heaves it at the barrier.
19:44Two cars, no control whatsoever.
19:46Off into the barrier.
19:47And James Kay as well.
19:49James Kay is off Padigelbend into the gravel.
19:52Oh, these championship leaders are turning into lemmings.
19:55And they've red flagged it.
19:57Kay a championship contender.
19:59Mowen a championship contender.
20:01Both of them chuck it at the scenery.
20:03This guy now is the race winner.
20:05Unbelievably, because they've red flagged the race.
20:07That means you count back, take the positions, a lap a go.
20:11So Reid is the winner.
20:12Plato is second.
20:13And importantly, Ivan Muller, who needed to be in front of Jason Plato, is behind him.
20:19Amazing scene.
20:20Reid, Graves, second outright.
20:22Good stuff from him.
20:23Plato and Muller.
20:27James Thompson, Phil Bennett, Tim Harvey and Dan Eves.
20:30He was right up on the thick of it there for a bit.
20:32Finishes inside the top eight.
20:33Then Sutcliffe finishes alive.
20:35Kay, Kramer and Boardman route out your top 12.
20:38Well done, mate.
20:41Well done, mate.
20:42Thank you, Aaron.
20:43He came in when you were supposed to come in.
20:47Good teamwork.
20:48How you stayed out there on those flicks?
20:51Well, I mean, it's a nice short lap.
20:53And we looked at the number of laps left and the time difference between what we were doing
20:56and what the leaders were doing.
20:57And I decided to chance my arm and stay out, you know, in front.
21:01And we just had enough of a cushion.
21:04They called me in for wet just at the right time behind the safety car.
21:06And we came out about sixth or seventh, but no one else had pitted.
21:09So it made it a little bit easier at the end.
21:12But, yeah, it was a wonderful performance.
21:16I got a great start.
21:18And, well, there's another one to go in there.
21:21But, yeah, you know, I did as best I could there.
21:23And so I'm shocked.
21:28Everything is still possible for the championship.
21:30We have to think and push until the end.
21:35I lost some six tyres and I was very, very slippery.
21:38So I was quite careful.
21:39But I think there was some oil left on the track after Sopra had this accident.
21:44And there came more and more water.
21:46And then there was a little river and I just equiplane off the track
21:49and hit the barrier quite hard.
21:52I'm not sure about the points.
21:53Maybe K still can overtake me in the points.
21:56And if I'm in third, I'm disappointed.
21:58But I still hope the team can fix the car and I can do it in the future race.
22:02Absolutely incredible result because I was in the gravel at the end.
22:06And I was in tears.
22:06I couldn't have thought of throwing it all away.
22:08And then I came back here and they told me I was second.
22:11And I thought, hang on a minute, maybe you didn't realise I'm just being in the gravel.
22:15But that's the way it went.
22:16And what happened?
22:18I just, a complete lack of driver talent.
22:20Well, it's not just about driver talent, it's about team talent as well.
22:26And that talent comes from practice.
22:28And they're up at the crack of dawn, making sure they've got their act well and truly together.
22:32Every pit stop is important.
22:49But is today different?
22:50Yeah, I'm sure it is.
22:52The boys are thinking the same because, say, because you know you could decide it.
22:57And you don't want that pressure.
22:58You don't want to decide it.
22:59You want something else to decide it.
23:01Nervous?
23:02Yeah.
23:03You want it, one on a track or whatever.
23:05You don't want to feel that, not that anyone's going to deliberately lose it.
23:09But if they do, they're going to feel rotten about it.
23:10So, no, you don't want to do it.
23:12You want it to go well.
23:12This doesn't count, no.
23:17It can always change us an afternoon.
23:21Steve, what happened?
23:23I don't really know.
23:24Obviously, I think we had another coming together with Phil Bennett.
23:30Coming out of Druid, so I was running down the hill.
23:32And the next thing, I got a fairly hefty wallop on the rear quarter.
23:37And the car turned right hard into the barrier.
23:40End of race.
23:41End of championship.
23:43End of race, end of championship, end of the year, yeah.
23:46So, not a good end.
23:48Lost a little bit of consciousness for about 30 seconds.
23:52And lost my memory for about an hour.
23:54But I'm back, knowing who you are, Lisa.
23:59Well, great to see he's all right.
24:01One of the real characters of British motor racing.
24:03Now, I have never seen more inappropriate weather conditions
24:06in which to decide the outcome of a championship.
24:08And this is what we've got, this is what we've got to deal with.
24:10That appalling weather that led to so much trouble in race one has worsened.
24:14It is pelting with rain now.
24:16The wind is up as well, which makes life extremely difficult.
24:19They've just inspected the track, and it seems okay, but we've got to watch out.
24:23Now, this is something else we've got to watch out for.
24:25Warren Hughes.
24:26Remember, we just saw that trailblazing win, record-breaking win,
24:29by Anthony Reid in the MGM race one.
24:31Well, his teammate has got pole position for this race.
24:34Definitely a man to watch out for.
24:35But the real thing we're watching out for is, of course, the championship decider
24:39between Ivan Muller right here and his teammate behind him, Jason Plato.
24:43Now, the shuffle is, Ivan is six points behind Jason.
24:46So, even if they finished in this order, Muller ahead of Plato, it wouldn't be enough.
24:50Plato would still win.
24:52But anything could happen in these appalling weather conditions.
24:54I'll remind you, this is a rolling start, this race, and there are pit stops in it as well.
24:59So, within the hour, we're going to know who the British champion is,
25:02but we'll be very wet in the process.
25:06This is just ridiculous.
25:08Get a look at that.
25:11His wipers have f***ed up already.
25:14This is Phil Bennett's warm-up lap, if you can call it that.
25:17Wipers off, Waddy.
25:18But what is it with Vauxhalls?
25:20Muller's got no wipers working at all.
25:22Phil Bennett's got one in a bit.
25:23And these conditions, you think they're a bad in the sprint race?
25:26Forget it.
25:26This is appalling.
25:27I tell you what, these drivers will not need steering wheels now.
25:31They're going to need bow thrusters.
25:33Just trying to manhandle these cars around in this much standing water.
25:37And because they haven't raced on it yet, they haven't even used their own cars to pump it clean.
25:41Nevertheless, the safety car's out of there.
25:43We're going to start racing.
25:44This is going to be very focusing for Mr. Hughes, who is in pole position.
25:49Got it all to prove.
25:50Remember, right alongside him is Ivan Muller.
25:53And behind Muller, where Muller needs him to stay, is Jason Plato.
25:56Lights go to red there.
25:58Green, Hughes away well.
25:59Now look, Plato's trying to get around the outside of Ivan Muller.
26:02The two blue Vauxhalls side by side.
26:04Muller's running him up the hill.
26:06There's the view from Jason's car.
26:08Now he's held him off.
26:09But in the process, he's left a hole a mile wide for Phil Bennett.
26:12There, that green one.
26:13Right in front of him.
26:14You can't really see a thing, can you?
26:17Muller has fended off.
26:19Bennett has got through.
26:21Muller's got what he needs behind him, which is Plato.
26:23But he's got two cars and valuable points in front of him.
26:26Now, can he get back past?
26:27Muller tippy-toeing down the inside.
26:29Surfing his way past Phil Bennett.
26:31Or is he?
26:32Side by side.
26:33We're on board with Plato in P4.
26:35About to turn left.
26:36Oh, that's so, so close.
26:39Phil Bennett doesn't give up easily.
26:41Slips sideways.
26:42Still in P3 is Muller.
26:43Still in P4 is Plato.
26:45Someone's taken to the rough stuff.
26:47That was Paul O'Neill trying to take a shortcut.
26:49And a very muddy one across the strike.
26:51You can't even see the start-finish line.
26:53Hughes opened up a furlongs gap.
26:56Great stuff from him.
26:57Muller lunging down the inside of Bennett.
26:58Can he do it?
26:59Yes, he has.
27:00Great stuff.
27:01Oh, and a tank slapper on the way through again.
27:04This is like water skiing in the whip.
27:06Out wide.
27:07Now the ski boat.
27:08Bennett's down the inside.
27:09Muller full.
27:10That's exactly what Muller needs.
27:11Now Muller's in front.
27:12He's got a Bennett buffer behind him.
27:14Then Plato.
27:15Wet wild stuff.
27:17Well, tremendous pass from Muller into Paddock Bend.
27:19Bennett came back.
27:20Now Plato's trying to elbow his way through.
27:22Get out of the way, Bennett.
27:23I'm in this championship.
27:25You're an old.
27:25They're like kids splashing in the puddle, aren't they?
27:27Just leaping in and out of it.
27:29Now Jason Plato is through.
27:30Where is he?
27:31Bill Bennett fights back.
27:32Not room for everybody here, kids.
27:34Come on.
27:34Keep it tidy.
27:35Bennett cuts back.
27:37Jason Plato has to line up again.
27:38James Thompson wants to play as well.
27:40Looks like great fun, especially when the puddles get muddy.
27:42Jump splash.
27:43Round through a clear ways.
27:45One of the Peugeot is trying to hang in there as well.
27:47Hughes getting his lead eaten into there by Van Muller.
27:50Oh, and Sutcliffe's up again.
27:52Well, it's been a big afternoon for him.
27:53Well, it's been a big afternoon for him, really.
27:54Now, down Paddock Hill Bend.
27:56Running wide at Hughes.
27:58Muller's in touch.
28:00Then Bennett behind.
28:01Now Muller's threatening.
28:02Muller's really trying to get away past here.
28:04This is really playing into his hands.
28:05He's got an opportunity to take the lead of this race, while Plato is still stuck behind Bennett.
28:10And remember, Bennett's not going to pay back any favourites.
28:12Remember Stederton?
28:14Remember Silverstone?
28:15Bennett is saying, you want past me, Plato?
28:17You're going to have to earn it.
28:18Remember the LMO 2 come to that.
28:20Now Hughes in trouble, I think.
28:23Muller really starting to pressure him.
28:25Trying to run around the outside.
28:27Now he's down the inside.
28:28He's taken the W.
28:29Plato's off.
28:30Unbelievable.
28:31Plato's gone straight across there.
28:33Unforced error.
28:34Keep it moving, mate.
28:35Keep it moving.
28:37It's stalled.
28:38I can't believe he's got it going again.
28:40I tell you, he's got all the luck going with him today.
28:43Most people will be in that bank, out of the race.
28:45His championship title hoops could be all over.
28:48But he's running again.
28:50Well, you couldn't kill him with a stick, could you?
28:51Now, here, let's have another look at what happened on board with him.
28:55Turned in.
28:55There's a river running across.
28:56He catches the curb.
28:57All of a sudden, the car goes sideways.
28:59Now he floors the throttle, which is what you do in front-wheel drive.
29:02Then lifts off.
29:03The car spins harmlessly.
29:05Oh, how close can you get to that barrier and not touch it?
29:08Jason, today you are blessed.
29:11So much to hit, and he didn't manage to hit a bit of it.
29:13On board with Muller.
29:14Meantime, while Jason was having his pirouette, this bloke Muller did that to Warren Hughes.
29:19He just slipped down the inside, sold in the dummy, side by side.
29:23What was the outcome?
29:24Down across the start-finish line.
29:26Muller's where he wants to be.
29:27I'm sure Warren's going to have to yield.
29:30Oh, masterful stuff.
29:31But a great drive from Warren Hughes.
29:33First time in pole position.
29:34Only a third touring car race in the MG, and he's battling for the lead.
29:38Yep.
29:38Good close racing.
29:39Good clean racing.
29:40Now, can he fight back?
29:43Into Druid.
29:45Yeah, it looks like it's quite a handy thing in the wet, actually, that MG.
29:48I think it's pretty good in any conditions.
29:50Third race.
29:51What are these teams going to do next year?
29:53Hold your breath.
29:54Phil Bennett trying to slide his way through.
29:55Splash his way through.
29:57Ah, welcome to touring cars.
29:58Warren just moves him aside.
30:00Hughes drops a spot.
30:01Muller's thinking, this is just as good as it gets for me.
30:04How many cars between me?
30:05Oh, no!
30:06Don't lose concentration now.
30:08Muller's done exactly what Plato did a couple of laps ago,
30:10but luckier still, held it together.
30:13And more importantly, he's kept the car intact.
30:15No parts of the bodywork came off, which is the norm
30:18when you go across that part of the track.
30:20Well, I tell you what, I'm using the luck stakes.
30:21I call that one-all.
30:23Oh, no, that's Roger Moen.
30:25Oh, I can't believe it.
30:27I've never seen someone so keen on winning a championship.
30:30Wanged it into the barrier in race one.
30:32Has chucked it away in race two.
30:34I tell you what, I reckon his pit crew are going to throbble him.
30:37Well, the HTML Peugeot team have done a stunning job this year
30:40for both drivers.
30:41But Moen, well, he's crashed it in the first race.
30:44He's gone off track in the second race.
30:46What else can I say?
30:47Talking about going off track, what he looked.
30:49That's one of the MGs pulling up there.
30:51Oh, no, that is Warren Hughes.
30:52He's just pulled to the inside of the track.
30:54And reads off as well.
30:57Unbelievable.
30:59Probably some of the worst conditions I've ever had, I would think.
31:01When I drove with MG at Le Mans earlier this season, there was something quite similar.
31:06But, yeah, it's very, very bad.
31:09As I say, it's very hard when you're following another car.
31:12It's OK, if you're in the lead, you can see where the standing water is.
31:14But following another car, you know, it's not in your control totally.
31:18Well, when you're racing these conditions for the first time, it's quite possible that
31:23it's just simply water gotten into some of the electrical connections.
31:27But what a disappointment for MG winning the sprint race and both cars out in the feature
31:31race.
31:31Just look at them as this race restarts.
31:33It's a bow wave coming off the front of Ivan Muller's car.
31:37Phil Bennett right behind him.
31:39Just surging down through Patekill Bend.
31:42Running a bit wide, hanging onto it.
31:44Just sheets of water across the track.
31:46James Thompson trying to run around the outside there of Dan Eves.
31:51Yeah, discretion, the better part of Valor.
31:53Down to bottom bend.
31:54This is tight, lots of water.
31:56That's where we saw so many people go off in race one.
31:59There's a river running across the track.
32:01There as well.
32:02Very difficult part of the track.
32:04Lowest part of the circuit.
32:05Water's running down from the left and the right.
32:08Whoa!
32:10Slip and slide indeed, everyone.
32:12Keep it on the island.
32:13Someone's taking another shortcut there.
32:14That's getting muddier and muddier lap by lap as well.
32:18Thompson on the right-hand side there of Dan Eves.
32:21I think he might just sneak through.
32:23Everyone else now bunched together.
32:25There's a weight behind Muller's car.
32:29Bennett trying to get into the tow.
32:30James Thompson in.
32:32So this is a mandatory pit stop.
32:33Thompson the first of the voxels to make that pit stop.
32:36Plato is now in as well.
32:37Let's keep an eye on the times.
32:39We saw 14 seconds.
32:40That was for four at Winston's house.
32:42Six points.
32:42Six for Thompson.
32:43Six for Plato.
32:44He'll be happy with that time.
32:46Now, Ivan Muller, of course, if he can stay where he is now, and his pit stop goes all right, Muller will win this championship.
32:54With that mistake earlier on from Plato, and here's the view from Muller's car, you can't see much without the wipers.
32:58He's going into the pits now.
33:00This is so critical.
33:01And you've just got to be careful.
33:03You can slide into that barrier on the right without even thinking about it.
33:06Then get the speed down, bring the car in onto concrete.
33:09Remember, that's much slippier than the tarmac.
33:11Now, Plato's time was six seconds, but he's way down the pack.
33:15Muller wants a quick, clean pit stop.
33:17Get back on 6.8 seconds.
33:19He'll be happy enough with that because he is still going to be ahead of Jason Plato.
33:23Big sigh of relief there from the pit crew.
33:25Their part in this equation is all over.
33:28But the critical thing now is to see how many cars are between Muller and Jason Plato because as things stand, he will win the championship if the places don't change.
33:37Now, this man here, Phil Bennett, coming into the pits, he's a critical player in all of this because he was between Muller and Plato before the pit stop started.
33:45And he's going to want another quick, clean pit, 6.2 seconds.
33:49That's going to keep him in contact with Muller and again keep him between Muller and Plato.
33:53Okay, so Jason Plato has it all to do.
33:56Ivan Muller has it all to lose.
33:59Back out on track.
34:03Weather conditions getting worse and worse, unbelievably.
34:06Although you can see the rain all over the camera lenses.
34:09I've got to tell you, these cameras flatter the weather conditions.
34:13It is so incredibly windy, cold and unpleasant out there.
34:17It's just so hard to grasp how impossible it is for these drivers.
34:21That's one thing driving in these conditions on your own as we see Dan Eames.
34:25But imagine being in a line of cars, three, four, five cars.
34:28The spray, you have to look out to the side to see where you are because ahead of you, you are just blinded.
34:33Yeah, well, that's the thing, isn't it?
34:34As soon as the spray's gone, you've actually got a problem.
34:37If you can see where you're going.
34:39Oh, look at this.
34:40It's a view from James Thompson's car.
34:41Oh, periscope.
34:43Bang!
34:44He's running to the back of the Proton, trying to get through a bottom bend.
34:48Oh, and he's falling away.
34:50I don't believe it.
34:51Well, he clubs Stephen Witt in the Proton big time.
34:54And the right front of that Vauxhall.
34:55Well, that's the reason.
34:56I think he's broken the suspension.
34:58He's just crawling back into the pits.
35:00His afternoon's work is now finished.
35:01Yeah, and I'll tell you what, the vital role he was playing for Ivan Muller and being a buffer between Muller and Plato.
35:07That's one more car down, one more step up the rank for Jason Plato.
35:11This gap is closing this jet.
35:13Oh, look.
35:14That's one of the Hondas.
35:15That's Graves off.
35:15And he's nerfed the wall backwards, going down through Paddock.
35:19Hanging it together.
35:20Now, here's Ivan Muller.
35:21No, again.
35:23Ivan Muller, for the second time, has gone straight on.
35:25Well, I thought this was a touring car race that Brands had.
35:27It's not Rallycross, which Brands, of course, in days before was very famous.
35:32And Dan Eves, the last man to come in.
35:34He's got a point for leading this race.
35:36Comes in for his one and only service this afternoon.
35:39Around six seconds.
35:40The best received for Vauxhall.
35:41Eves Gossard, 6.6 seconds.
35:43Good day's work from Dan Eves and Persia so far.
35:46And what a nice clean car, too.
35:48You see him just falling the stream out of the pit lane there.
35:51Dan Eves, not a mark on his car.
35:52No mud on it, unlike the Vauxhalls.
35:54He's Kempton on the island pretty much today.
35:56Ivan Muller's washed most of the mud off his car now.
35:59Just with all the water on the tracks.
36:01He's understeering ground through.
36:02It's there.
36:03The car's just floating.
36:04And I just wonder, was there damage done to the Vauxhall?
36:07The first time he went off, you could see there was no damage.
36:09The second time he went off much deeper into the grass.
36:12The car gave a big kick in the tail.
36:14So we just need to see the front of that car.
36:16Well, it looks pretty much okay to me.
36:18Yep.
36:18Off twice, though.
36:19Not ideal.
36:19Jason Blater went off there once.
36:21Cut across.
36:22Hit the barriers and got going.
36:24Still paid a big price.
36:25Now, critically for Muller, he did not lose position doing that.
36:28Hasn't done himself any favours skipping over the infield.
36:31But he is still in the lead of this race.
36:33He's still in the lead of this championship.
36:35Ah, John BMQ.
36:36This is his last touring car race.
36:37And he's found a place to moor.
36:41That's actually in a dangerous position.
36:43I wouldn't mind betting there'll be another safety car as we see a great big slither there from Plato.
36:48Just going down through Paddock Hill.
36:50Bed absolutely honest.
36:52Driving so hard.
36:54Two places yet to make up.
36:55He needs to finish behind Ivan Muller to win the championship.
36:58That'll do it.
36:59He's in P4 now.
37:00Two more to go.
37:01The trouble is for Muller.
37:02He can do no more.
37:04He's leading the race.
37:05He gets a point for that.
37:07And oh, there the safety car is out.
37:09But of course, Muller, he's got to worry about Plato.
37:11And the safety car plays to Plato, not to Muller's advantage.
37:16Plato, of course, seventh on the road, but fourth in class.
37:19And those production cars ahead of him, he's going to get past in the blink of an eye.
37:23Now, look at all the water.
37:25Hey, look out at the front of Muller's car.
37:27That looked like flames.
37:28I'm not sure.
37:29Look, look.
37:29And there.
37:30You can see right underneath there.
37:31That's a fire.
37:32Yes, it is.
37:32Now, I just wonder.
37:34Oh, Christy.
37:35Plato, Muller's got a fire on the front of his car.
37:39Okay, I have fire eyes to the car.
37:40I have fire eyes to the car.
37:42Well, there you go.
37:43The marshals know it.
37:43He knows it.
37:44Yeah.
37:45Maybe when he went across the grass at 30s,
37:47he did do some damage to the bottom of the car.
37:50That wasn't just body work.
37:52Oh, the amazing irony of having a fire in a car in water conditions like this.
37:58Well, if anything's going to put that far out, it is these conditions.
38:01But, of course, Muller's got to look for the deepest puddles
38:03to get enough water to swoosh over the fire.
38:07That's what he's trying to do.
38:08Look, over a bit of wet grass.
38:09See if that'll do the trick.
38:10And it's not.
38:11It's going to be something to put it out.
38:14Halfway down the pit straight, there's a river.
38:15You can see that's why the safety car's out.
38:17You can just see there the big tow truck loading the flatbed,
38:21loading one of those broken-down cars onto the back of it.
38:24You can see a river on the right-hand side of your screen there
38:26running straight across the track.
38:28Smoke coming into the car as well now.
38:30Well, this is certainly going to get worse for Muller.
38:33I mean, there are rivers.
38:34There's one at the bottom of Paddock.
38:35There he goes.
38:36I mean, look.
38:37Has it done it?
38:38No.
38:38Oh, it's getting worse.
38:40Look, it's really starting to glow bright red now.
38:42Look at the front.
38:44I think this is the end of the race and the championship for Muller.
38:48This is Rob Carlyard off as well.
38:50There are cars, in fact, littering the circuit all the way around.
38:53But Van Muller is still going.
38:55But this is exquisite torture.
38:57This is just horrible.
38:58And he's pulling off what an ignominious way to end a fabulous championship hunt.
39:06Well, I can't say any more than a huge disappointment for Muller and for this championship.
39:10We wanted to see the battle to the end.
39:12Now, Plato looks like he may have it all wrapped up.
39:15Yep, that's really shot the fox.
39:18Bennett now across the line.
39:19The race has restarted.
39:20That's Dan Eves in second position.
39:25Jason Plato is in P3, but I guess he doesn't really care anymore because he knows he's won this championship.
39:30Even if he doesn't finish this race, job done.
39:32It is indeed.
39:33But Willow not finishing.
39:35And the championship point lead that Plato had coming into this round.
39:37He is the 2001 champion.
39:40Yeah, but watch the bloke.
39:41He's so tenacious.
39:43He won't be resting on his laurels as he slithers down the inside of one of the Ford Focuses.
39:47There's our leader, Phil Bennett.
39:49Dan Eves having a stormer in P2.
39:51And there's Jason Plato thundering along in third position.
39:54He'll want to go out with a win, won't he?
39:56Well, the only thing he might still want is somebody to hit.
39:58He hasn't hit too many people in this race.
40:01Well, there is the man, and he is still working very hard.
40:04You can see, soaring away at the wheel.
40:06Bit of correction.
40:10Still a picture of concentration.
40:11I'll tell you the depth of concentration.
40:14Look at his eyes.
40:15I mean, they're like a pair of lasers looking through that windscreen onto the racetrack through the mist.
40:19And you can see how dark it was.
40:20You can see the gear change light reflecting on the front of his helmet.
40:23It was that dark.
40:25And here comes Ivan Moller being dropped back into the pits.
40:28Heartbreaking stuff.
40:29There are not words for this.
40:35Not words.
40:41It's okay, Phil.
40:46It's okay.
40:50It was so close.
40:52The luck is just not good at the shoot at all.
40:55So close.
40:56You know, the condition was amazing, and just the chicane behind one stage, I had aqua planning.
41:07And I went a bit on the curbs.
41:09And probably that's bring an oil leak or something like that, and the fire comes step by step.
41:16Luck hasn't really been on your side this season.
41:19No, not really.
41:21Not really at all.
41:22But it's like this.
41:23It's part of motor racing, and we have to accept.
41:25But I am very, very disappointed for the lads behind me here, because they've done a good job, and they should be on the podium with me.
41:37Unfortunately, I couldn't give them the victory.
41:40But the teammates, anyway, the victory.
41:43And for me, okay, I will try to come back next year to compete for...
41:50Big man.
41:50Yes, tough, tough situation.
41:53Both drivers really made this championship something to watch all year.
41:57Yep, I suppose it is time to be the first to congratulate Jason Plato.
42:01He is the champion.
42:02Well done.
42:04Now, there's still a motor race to be run here, and there's still a production championship to be won as well.
42:09Now, the position we've got here is that this man, Simon Harrison, all he has to do is keep it on the island and finish.
42:16James Kay, the only man who could beat him in the championship, is on the road.
42:20He's ahead of him on the road, but what Simon has to do is just keep it neat, hang it together, and the job's done.
42:26On board with Plato now.
42:27He still doesn't reckon the job's done.
42:29He's lining up Dan Eves.
42:30That's Dan ahead of us.
42:31Coming into Paddock Hill, having a look.
42:34He's still having a race.
42:35Yes, and what Plato's got now is that lovely rhythm a driver gets when things are working for you.
42:40Everything's just coming easy.
42:41Eves stays to the left.
42:43Plato just goes down the inside of the right hand.
42:45No problem at all.
42:46And now he's really got Phil Bennett ahead.
42:48He picks the hand up and says, thanks, mate.
42:50No sweat.
42:51You know, I swear it's even getting lighter now.
42:54Down through that tricky bottom bend.
42:57Still a very good drive from Dan Eves.
42:59He'll be delighted to go out on the year with that behind him.
43:03And this bloke here, Simon Harrison, he's had a storming year.
43:06Roger Moe and his teammate, who really took the cudgels up and challenged very hard, made it a little bit easy at the end for him.
43:12And if Simon can just keep it, keep it neat, it's his.
43:16Indeed, Simon Harrison has really driven so well all year.
43:19He's complained about driving standards at different times.
43:21But here, he and James Kaye again battling down to the chequered flag to see who will be the production car champion.
43:28John Boardman in behind him there.
43:30Tom's had a very colourful year.
43:32Added a lot of colour and movement to our championship.
43:35And we saw Paul O'Neill before as well in another Peugeot 306.
43:39Remember, he snapped it for a pole position here today.
43:42And has driven a pretty good race as well.
43:44Now, Jason Plato ahead of him, Phil Bennett.
43:49Phil Bennett would desperately love to bag another race win.
43:52Jason Plato would desperately love to spoil that.
43:55I think Jason Plato is wise enough not to tempt fate here with Phil Bennett.
43:59He's going to let Bennett take this win.
44:01He knows if he tries to force the issue, there are those old scores.
44:04Phil has not forgotten them.
44:06And he's not going to go out of his way to make it too difficult for Plato.
44:09Well, you might be right there.
44:10He seems to have eased off a bit.
44:11He was very, very close, Jason Plato, to the back of Phil Bennett a lap ago.
44:15But now Bennett is opening it up again, driving a Stormer.
44:19And banging in the fastest lap of the race already as well.
44:22They're on the last lap now.
44:23What's he going to do?
44:25Well, Plato's going to stay there.
44:26If Bennett shows any signs of making a mistake, Plato will be through.
44:29But Bennett really, such an improved driver from the start of the season to the last race.
44:34I mean, he justifies a drive on a factory team next year on Merritt.
44:37Well, Jason Plato really be bringing him under some big pressure now.
44:41But Bennett, Bennett looks like he's up to it.
44:43Fighting bag, covering line.
44:45Jason Plato, two more corners to go.
44:46What did he do?
44:47He is lining him up.
44:49Can he faint to the left?
44:52Bennett's moving to cover.
44:53This is a good passing spot.
44:55Plato want to duck down the inside into clearways.
44:57This is the last corner.
44:58Bennett looks like he's got it covered.
45:00He's not giving it away.
45:01No, he kept the tight line into clearways.
45:03And Plato said, OK, Phil, you can have the race.
45:05But I'm taking the championship.
45:07OK, well, that sounds pretty fair to me.
45:09Everyone's a winner.
45:10Jason Plato's dad says, nicely done, son.
45:14Great win for Phil Bennett.
45:15Great championship win.
45:17Jason Plato.
45:19Dan Eves, a creditable for it.
45:20Hey, get it.
45:20Get back in that car.
45:21It's not over yet, Phil.
45:22Come on, boy.
45:27Great feeling for him.
45:28You know what it's like.
45:29It's a wonderful feeling for Plato.
45:30He's fought all year.
45:32He's been up and down a real roller coaster.
45:34At times, I've been critical of some of his driving.
45:36But remember, Jason Plato is an outstanding race driver.
45:39He and Mudder have made a fantastic championship.
45:41Hear, hear.
45:42And what a fitting end.
45:43Phil Bennett cracks it for a win.
45:44Dan Eves makes it onto the podium.
45:46And Tom Ferrier in the top four as well.
45:49James Kaye, seventh on the rope.
45:50It's Simon Harris in 10th position and the production champ.
45:53British Touring Car Champion, 2001.
45:57Thanks very much.
45:59Yeah, thank you.
46:01It's been a long time coming this.
46:03It has.
46:04It's been quite a season.
46:06Yeah, I mean, you know, it's a shame I've been retired.
46:09But it's a shame I lost, you know,
46:11I got stuck on the aqua plane.
46:12So, but yeah, it's all over.
46:14I can go and have a drink now.
46:16But just thanks, you know,
46:17to everyone that's helped me over the last five years.
46:19And, you know, I have to thank Frank Williams
46:21for giving me my first opportunity.
46:25Yeah, and everybody.
46:26I'm a bit lost for words at a minute.
46:28Does it feel as you imagined it would?
46:32I don't know yet.
46:33Ask me a bit later.
46:35Congratulations.
46:35Congratulations.
46:35It was close, though, wasn't it?
46:44He pushed me all the way.
46:44Made me work for it.
46:46But, yeah, fortunately, we had just enough of a lead.
46:48And I really wanted to go out on a high note.
46:53So, yeah, you can't do any better than win the last race, can you?
46:56Well done, Mr. Bennett.
46:57And what a championship.
46:59Jason Plato, our 2001 champion.
47:01Ivan Muller second.
47:03James Thompson third.
47:04And Phil Bennett in fourth.
47:06Dan Eves best of the rest, if you like.
47:08Just ahead of Steve Soper.
47:09Tommy Erdos in the Lexus.
47:10And then Tim Harvey.
47:11And a big congratulations to Vauxhall Motorsport.
47:14Clear winners.
47:15It's been such a traumatic day.
47:17So up and down with the weather conditions.
47:19I didn't really know what the stage of play was going into that race.
47:21I just knew how to go as fast as I could.
47:23And not risk anything.
47:25And that was the name of the game, really.
47:26Keep an eye on James, where he was.
47:28So I'm well happy to come away champion.
47:30Yeah, I've had an up and down season.
47:31I've had my problems.
47:32I'm not too high up in the championship.
47:34But we've won races.
47:35We've proved it's a good car.
47:36And proved that I have got a little bit of talent, I hope.
47:39And, yeah, I've had a great season.
47:40This is the best way to finish it.
47:41It was the most dangerous I've ever driven in.
47:44It really was difficult out there.
47:45But, yeah, we objective reach for GR.
47:50I was just a bit annoyed to lose the lead on the last lap after leading for the race.
47:54Congratulations to every competitor in the production championship.
47:58Terrific entertainment all year.
47:59Simon Harrison, James Kaye, Roger Moen.
48:02That's your top three.
48:02That's how it finished.
48:04Matt Jackson in fourth.
48:05Gareth Howe fifth.
48:06A win today for Gavin Piper.
48:07Simon Graves and Paul O'Neill.
48:10GR Motorsport.
48:11Big winners outright in the team's championship.
48:13If I'd submitted that as a movie script, it'd have accused me of overwriting.
48:18The British Touring Car Championship stuns and amazes right to the very end.
48:23Congratulations, of course, to Jason Plato, a winner, and also Simon Harrison, the production winner.
48:29And commiserations have to go in particular to Ivan Muller.
48:33Cruel old business motor racing.
48:35Remarkable championship, the BTCC.
48:37We get it on the 7th night.
48:42When that moon gets big and bright as a supernatural night.
48:49Everybody is dancing in the moonlight.
48:55Dancing in the moonlight.
48:57Everybody is feeling warm and bright.
49:02It's such a fire, you're not the fire.
49:05Everybody is dancing in the moonlight.
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