Motor Racing: German finds the line again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JO WINKELHOCK, the reigning champion, won his second British Touring Car Championship race of the season for BMW in the Oulton Park Gold Cup yesterday.
The German's victory, his second in successive years on the circuit, came at the expense of Switzerland's Alain Menu, who was in pole position but slipped back to fourth place on the opening lap in his Renault Laguna.
Winkelhock, who was second on the grid, led the pack into the first corner. He was chased by the fast-starting Alfa Romeo of Giampiero Simoni and Paul Radisich's Ford Mondeo.
Menu overhauled Radisich and Simoni to take second place on the fifth lap but could not get on terms with Winkelhock and finished three seconds adrift.
Radisich's title hopes suffered a knock when his engine blew up six laps from home. Third place went to Gabriele Tarquini, the championship leader, who thus extended his lead in the series over the New Zealander.
Simoni finished fourth just ahead of Roberto Ravaglia in the second BMW, while John Cleland, the top home driver on the grid, disappointed.
Though he escaped injury, Cleland spun his Vauxhall on the opening lap and struck the barriers. He was joined in retirement by Andy Rouse, Ford's other contender, who was forced out of the race with mechnical trouble.
With six races remaining in the championship, Tarquini enjoys a 30-point lead over Radisich, with Menu closing up in third place.
AUTO TRADER RAC BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Round 15 (Oulton Park, 16 laps, 44.4 miles): 1 J Winkelhock (Ger, BMW 318i) 28m 09.63s (94.60mph); 2 A Menu (Switz, Renault Laguna) +2.95s; 3 G Tarquini (It, Alfa Romeo 155) +8.61s; 4 G Simoni (It, Alfa Romeo 155) +9.03s; 5 R Ravaglia (It, BMW 318i) +9.31s; 6 T Harvey (GB, Renault Laguna) +16.66s; 7 J Lammers (Neth, Volvo 850) +20.10s; 8 P Watts (Peugeot 405) +29.95s; 9 J Bailey (GB, Toyota Carina) +34.73s; 10 K Odor (Nissan Primera) +34.92s.
Championship positions: 1 Tarquini 210 pts; 2 P Radisich (NZ, Ford Mondeo) 180; 3 Menu 148; 4 J Cleland (GB, Vauxhall Cavalier) 146; 5 Watts 88; 6 Simoni 78. Manufacturers: 1 Alfa Romeo 216; 2 Ford 205; 3 Vauxhall 183; 4 Renault 161; 5 BMW 160; 6 Peugeot 140.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments