Italian racer and former European Touring Car champion, Fabrizio Giovanardi enjoyed mixed fortunes in his first season in the BTCC last year, but the Vauxhall driver will be hoping for an improved run in 2007.

“The second half of the season was better than the first”, said Giovanardi. “It took a while to learn the circuits and understand the car, because it was completely different to a world touring car. But it got better and I won two races, so I think it’s a big help for this season.”

Giovanardi took Vauxhall’s long-awaited 100th BTCC victory at Knockhill last year, before going on to win again at Brands Hatch. Not a bad performance, when racing a BTCC-spec car for the first time, and becoming accustomed to the physical nature of the British series.

“There’s a different approach in this championship, commented the Italian. “It’s more fight. No, I’m joking, I’m joking… I think it’s good for people to watch the fighting between the cars. In the world touring cars, it was not less aggressive, but the mentality of the championship was very clear.”

It’s back to a more familiar S2000 car for Giovanardi in 2007, and one that he has worked with the Triple Eight team to develop from scratch. The Vectra will go up against SEAT’s year-old Leon, and the new Honda Civic from Team Halfords. While it may be of limited value come Brands Hatch at the end of the month, Giovanardi stole the early momentum at Rockingham, topping the times in the afternoon test session.

“We have done two tests in Spain and the car looks good and fast. But we will see when we drive against the SEATs and the other cars. But my feeling, because I know quite well these cars and these rules, is that the car should be quite fast.”

“I immediately felt it was a good car in the pre-season testing and a big difference compared to the Astra. The team thinks the potential of this car is much better because of its consistency on long runs; that can make the difference and this car is both fast and consistent.”

"The team has done a really good job over the winter; to make a new car is not so easy. I tried to transport my experience and I think we’ve worked well together.”

So the car is moving in the right direction, but is going to be quick enough for Giovanardi and teammate Tom Chilton to challenge for championship honours?

"If I look at the later part of last season, my performance was better and I hope to start in the same position. I hope to win and I think from the beginning we will be fast."

“We want to fight for the championship, but we’ll see.”