Nissan Motor (GB) Limited
Press Enquiries
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Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire WD3 2YS
Registered in England (No. 2514418)
Tel: 01923 899930
Fax: 01923 899969
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 September 1999
VODAFONE NISSAN SET FOR SILVERSTONE SHOWDOWN
Vodafone Nissan Racing made sure of a top two finish in the Drivers’ championship with a winning performance at Oulton Park today in Rounds 23 and 24 of the 1999 Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship.
Laurent Aiello's win in the Sprint Race (17 laps), and his second place in the Feature Race (34 laps), extended his lead to 26 points at the top of the drivers’ championship. Team-mate David Leslie ensured he could not be caught in the runner-up spot by earning a second place in the Sprint Race. He followed this with a fourth in the Feature Race.
These fine performances set up a Silverstone showdown for Nissan which has already been guaranteed a clean sweep of titles by also winning the Manufacturers’, Teams’ and Independents’ trophies.
In qualification, Nissan once again proved to be the team to beat. Leslie made it a double pole, his third and fourth of the season, to collect two bonus points in his championship challenge. Hard on his heels, Aiello qualified second for both races.
Vodafone Nissan set for Silverstone showdown...2
LAURENT AIELLO - SPRINT RACE 1st FEATURE RACE 2nd
Aiello made a scorching start in the 40-mile Sprint Race to outpace Leslie and take the lead before the first corner. The Frenchman never looked in any danger on the 2.3-mile Island Circuit and recorded a comfortable tenth victory of the season. Aiello said: “It was a very good start for me. I was concentrating on this. I knew I had to overtake David early on, take the lead and control the race.”
In the Feature Race, Aiello also made a flying start, streaking past Leslie. But James Thompson (Honda) proved even quicker and claimed the lead on the first lap. A swift pit-stop on lap 13 gave Aiello hope that he could catch the Yorkshireman but Thompson - on softer tyres - held on to first place. Aiello said: “Once again I got a great start. I kept concentrating, pushing hard but I didn’t want to take any risks once I made the pit-stop. It’s now all set for Silverstone and a race with David for the Drivers’ Championship. What an end to the season!”
DAVID LESLIE - SPRINT RACE 2nd FEATURE RACE 4th
In the Sprint Race, wheelspin caused problems for Leslie and he was passed at the lights by Aiello and Thompson. Left with a battle on his hands, Leslie never let Thompson settle and on lap eight stormed in front of the Honda to regain second spot. Thompson was later disqualified after a collision involving Renault’s Jason Plato. Leslie said: “I got too excited at the start, had too many revs and went into a wheelspin. I then had to work very hard to get back in the race.”
In the Feature Race, Leslie once more suffered from wheelspin and was passed by Aiello and Thompson at the start. On lap 16 he took the lead - gaining a vital bonus point - after his rivals took their mandatory pit-stops. But Leslie dropped back to third when he too had to enter the pits. Braking problems towards the end of the race cost him dear and he had to settle for fourth after being overtaken two laps from the finish by Rickard Rydell (Volvo). Leslie said: “My brakes went towards the end. It was disappointing but I am looking forward to Silverstone. I regard it as my home circuit. I am still in the race for the Drivers’ Championship.”
Vodafone Nissan set for Silverstone showdown…3
1999 AUTO TRADER BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Oulton Park, 12 September 1999
Round 23 - Sprint Race Round 24 - Feature Race
1 Laurent Aiello (Nissan) 1 James Thompson (Honda)
2 David Leslie (Nissan) 2 Laurent Aiello (Nissan)
3 Rickard Rydell (Volvo) 3 Rickard Rydell (Volvo)
4 Vincent Radermecker (Volvo) 4 David Leslie (Nissan)
5 Peter Kox (Honda) 5 Yvan Muller (Vauxhall)
6 Matt Neal (Nissan)* 6 Jason Plato (Renault)
7 Jean-Christophe Boullion (Renault) 7 Jean-Christophe Boullion (Renault)
8 John Cleland (Vauxhall) 8 Anthony Reid (Ford)
9 Yvan Muller (Vauxhall) 9 Alain Menu (Ford)
10 Will Hoy (Renault)* 10 Matt Neal (Nissan)*
BTCC DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP - after 24 (of 26) rounds
1 Laurent Aiello (Nissan) 241
2 David Leslie (Nissan) 215
3 Rickard Rydell (Volvo) 161
4 James Thompson (Honda) 160
5 Jason Plato (Renault) 122
6 Peter Kox (Honda) 109
7 Vincent Radermecker (Volvo) 105
8 Matt Neal (Nissan) 104*
9 Yvan Muller (Vauxhall) 103
10 Jean-Christophe Boullion (Renault) 94
MANUFACTURERS TEAMS
1 Nissan 460 1 Vodafone Nissan Racing 198
2 Honda 284 2 Team Honda Sport 130
3 Volvo 259 3 Williams Renault 108
4 Renault 224 4 Volvo S40 Racing 104
5 Vauxhall 165 5 Vauxhall Motorsport 76
*= Independent
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
BTCC inquiries: Roger Ryan
Tel 0831 337088
NISSAN inquiries Andrew Roberts, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd