Motor Racing: Odor takes the honours

A DRAMATIC finale to the British Touring Car Grand Prix meeting at Silverstone yesterday saw Kieth Odor claim his and Nissan's maiden victory in the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship.

Odor, the 31-year-old driver from Salisbury, assumed command on the sixth of 15 laps after the early leader, Will Hoy, was shunted out of the race by his Toyota team-mate, Julian Bailey.

Bailey's car hit Hoy's amidships as he challenged for the lead at Priory corner, tipping Hoy's car over and into retirement. Bailey's race was also ended by the incident. Neither driver was hurt.

Odor led from then on, despite a fierce attack from the BMW of Steve Soper, who pursued the Nissan until two laps from home, when his car failed. That left Odor's team-mate, Win Percy, able to fight off the Ford of the New Zealander, Paul Radisich, and the BMW of Jo Winkelhock to make it a one-two for Nissan.

Winkelhock's fourth place extends his championship lead over Soper to 19 points, with Odor now third overall.

AUTO TRADER RAC BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Ninth round (Silverstone, 15 laps, 48.71 miles, GB unless stated): 1 K Odor, Nissan, 30min 59.97sec, 94.26mph; 2 W Percy, Nissan +2.13sec; 3 P Radisich (NZ), Ford, +6.04; 4 J Winkelhock (Ger), BMW, +6.84; 5 D Leslie, Vauxhall, +6.84; 6 J Cleland, Vauxhall, +9.14; 7 H Nuttall, Vauxhall, +16.00; 8 A Menu (Swit), Renault, +16.45; 9 R Gravett, Peugeot, +23.70; 10 J Kaye, Toyota, +24.71s. Fastest lap: P Watts, Mazda, 2min 01.47sec, 96.23mph (record). Championship standings: 1 Winkelhock 120pts; 2 S Soper, BMW, 101; 3 Odor, 70; 4 Cleland, 59; 5 J Allam, Vauxhall, 53; 6 W Hoy, Toyota, 50. Manufacturers: 1 BMW 174pts; 2 Vauxhall 109; 3 Nissan 100; 4 Toyota 87; 5 Peugeot 59; 6 Renault 46; 7 Ford 26; 8 Mazda 25.