Wednesday 5th February 2014

Fabrizio Giovanardi back in the BTCC

Italian's return means six former champions for BTCC 2014, with the potential of one more too

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If tonight's Touring Car Legends was to include European heroes too, Fabrizio Giovanardi would undoubtedly feature most prominently. Before his first stint in the BTCC from 2006, he had three European Touring Car titles to his name and a pair of Italian championships also.

Menu vs. Giovanardi sounds great

Now, after winning the BTCC in 2007 and 2008, Giovanardi will return to the BTCC for the 2014 season. He will be part of the Airwaves Racing/Motorbase Performance team in a Focus ST; the engine is a Mountune unit, of course.

Of his return, Giovanardi said: "I am really looking forward to coming back to this special championship. For the last four years I have done long distance racing and for me, it's quite boring! I want to come here and try to win another championship; I need to win the third one!"

It means the 2014 BTCC could have seven former champions in its ranks. Along with the comebacks of Giovanardi and Alain Menu, we will also see Matt Neal, Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden and Andrew Jordan racing. Colin Turkington's participation looks likely but is unconfirmed at present.

Dave Bartrum is team principal of Airwaves Racing and is predictably fairly chuffed at the appointment: "This is a very important year for Airwaves Racing. This is going to be the one when we really do underline the product we've built here at Motorbase Performance and Fabrizio is the man to show you how it should go".

So the 2014 season is shaping up to be a cracker. Loads of former champions, the return of the estate and PH's involvement. We hope to bring you more on the latter soon. The BTCC season starts at Brands Hatch on 29/30 March.

 

[Images: LAT]

[HorneyMX5]

The championship is bringing back some of the big names of the past and providing us with new talent as well. Much as love the super touring era I really think that in 2014 the BTCC is hitting a new high and sweet spot.

I'm hoping to get along to at least a couple of rounds this year as I didn't manage any att all last year.

[Logie]

Good news that looking forward to the season

[anonymous-user]

Really can't wait for the new season and its a plus that Donington (my closest track) is on my birthday this year. I'll drop some hints to SWMBO.....

[sanguinary]

Interesting picture!

It's certainly shaping up to be a good year for motorsport, as far as the punter is concerned.

[chrisemersons]

HorneyMX5 said:

The championship is bringing back some of the big names of the past and providing us with new talent as well. Much as love the super touring era I really think that in 2014 the BTCC is hitting a new high and sweet spot.

I'm hoping to get along to at least a couple of rounds this year as I didn't manage any att all last year.

Why do we have to contanstly have to refer to super touring ??!! its getting boring !

It was nearly 20 years ago ! move on !

I was there, i saw it, yeah it was great, but i've seen equally as good btcc races with just as much action since - and we now get 3 btcc races a day rather than the 1 we had back then so value for money its 3 times better.

[HorneyMX5]

chrisemersons said:

HorneyMX5 said:

The championship is bringing back some of the big names of the past and providing us with new talent as well. Much as love the super touring era I really think that in 2014 the BTCC is hitting a new high and sweet spot.

I'm hoping to get along to at least a couple of rounds this year as I didn't manage any att all last year.

Why do we have to contanstly have to refer to super touring ??!! its getting boring !

It was nearly 20 years ago ! move on !

I was there, i saw it, yeah it was great, but i've seen equally as good btcc races with just as much action since - and we now get 3 btcc races a day rather than the 1 we had back then so value for money its 3 times better.

Probably because it was a high point in the series and it's peak in public profile. I too have been a BTCC fan in that period and beyond and I agree that there has been some great races and seasons since. It just seems that this year all the pieces are comign together to produce a brilliant line up with great coverage and a huge grid of varied cars. It could mark the start of a period where the BTCC is once again a premier series in Europe.

I guess I'm just really excited about it, like i was in the ST days.

[Munter]

After all the moaning about the new cars and the boost adjustments. I think this is the output. Full entry list, and top drivers being picked up by teams.

I don't think the cars are as cheap as originally intended. But I do wonder if cheaper cars, with more spec kit across the field, has led to some teams having money available for putting into drivers pockets.

edit: Be interesting to see the attitude of the import drivers to the "no wheels off" rules this year!

[fatboy69]

As much as i dislike the current breed of Touring Car racers, this coming season is shaping up too be an epic one with so many former champions out racing for the season.

Now all someone needs to do is to get Derek Warwick signed up for the season.....

Cant wait for the racing to start.

[chrisemersons]

HorneyMX5 said:

Probably because it was a high point in the series and it's peak in public profile. I too have been a BTCC fan in that period and beyond and I agree that there has been some great races and seasons since. It just seems that this year all the pieces are comign together to produce a brilliant line up with great coverage and a huge grid of varied cars. It could mark the start of a period where the BTCC is once again a premier series in Europe.

I guess I'm just really excited about it, like i was in the ST days.

I absolutely agree with you, i think its shaping up to be a cracking series this year, but then i feel excited about it every year and still always enjoy it regardless.

Its days out with mates, touring car racing - regardless of the regulations whats not to like !!??

Nearly as good as LM !!

[Henry Fiddleton]

Is this the end for Mat Jackson?

Mat Jackson and Tom-Onslow-Cole and Gio would make a very good line up..

[chrisemersons]

fatboy69 said:

As much as i dislike the current breed of Touring Car racers, this coming season is shaping up too be an epic one with so many former champions out racing for the season.

Now all someone needs to do is to get Derek Warwick signed up for the season.....

Cant wait for the racing to start.

Ah yes, those btcc greats ...

John 'B&Q' Batchelor, Fiona Leggatte, John George, Alan Taylor and Derek Warwick !!

[chrisemersons]

Henry Fiddleton said:

Is this the end for Mat Jackson?

Mat Jackson and Tom-Onslow-Cole and Gio would make a very good line up..

I was wondering the same, its a real shame if it is - he seemed to lose his way a bit last year which is a real shame.

That would be a good line up. Has TOC been mentioned for that seat at Airwaves ? I do wonder why he seems to hop from team to team - he's a quick driver but he never seems to settle anywhere for very long, maybe its the daft hats he wears haha.

[morgs_]

As if I wasn't excited enough about this new season

[A Scotsman]

This is excellent. Fabrizio is a first class driver who doesn't rely on "push to pass" in order to win. Good for the sport.

[EDLT]

A Scotsman said:

This is excellent. Fabrizio is a first class driver who doesn't rely on "push to pass" in order to win. Good for the sport.

He did that a lot. He is even doing it in one of the pictures in the article.

[Rich A]

Looking forward to seeing if he's kept his edge and will be competing against the front runners from the first race. I'll still be cheering on Olly and Andy though.

This year's season is lining up to be epic.

[chrisemersons]

A Scotsman said:

This is excellent. Fabrizio is a first class driver who doesn't rely on "push to pass" in order to win. Good for the sport.

Thats not how i remember him !

[m8rky]

Brilliant news, and the best Lauren Cooper impersonater in the business with his classic "does this face show concern" quote afew years ago.

[cupofbeans]

He normally only punted the car infront if it was in revenge, but he definitely did have a few red mist moments that I can remember. Glad to see him back, he's a class act and I know how highly the 888 guys thought of him, even better than Yvan Muller they said. Might be the final piece in the jigsaw that Motorbase need to become more consistent up the front of the grid.

[shake n bake]

fatboy69 said:

As much as i dislike the current breed of Touring Car racers, this coming season is shaping up too be an epic one with so many former champions out racing for the season.

Now all someone needs to do is to get Derek Warwick signed up for the season.....

Cant wait for the racing to start.

Warwick was crap in a touring car! If they're wheeling out the oldies then let's have Cleland, radisich, soper, you could go on and on! Good for the series but seems a shame to push out the up and comers with all this oldies coming back.