Fabrizio Giovanardi went to Silverstone for penultimate round of the 2008 BTCC season with a healthy advantage of over 40 points over big rival Jason Plato. Giovanardi’s mission was again to score as many points as possible without taking any risks. By doing so he would surely be successful in defending his title.

With the championship battle still wide open, the BMW drivers were hoping to make their mark on the points standings on what is home soil for the BMW team at Oschersleben. Qualifying didn't go well, and the top two BMW's were that of Augusto Farfus in sixth, and Andy Priaulx in ninth.

Mixed weather greeted the inaugural Superleague Formula round at Donington Park this weekend. In itself this round would be a step into the unknown, the formbook was clear and there was great uncertainty as to how anyone would perform.

The sound of chatter and expectation as the crowds gather at the stadium to watch their beloved team, cheering and jeering as the line-ups are announced, and the referee's whistle engulfed in manic song. This idyllic description of football is about to be drowned out by the sound of a 750 brake horsepower V12 engine, housed in a sleek body shell donned in famous team colours. These cars will take the rivalries normally bound to the hallowed green turf, onto the solid black asphalt of motor racing venues worldwide, welcome to Superleague Formula.

Sebastien Loeb had never been beaten on Rallye Deutschland for the six years that it has been part of the World Rally Championship calendar. He was also riding high after his fantastic win on the Rally of Finland, so his rivals were fearing the worst as the first pure asphalt event of 2008 loomed.

Farbrizio Giovanardi went to Knockhill in Scotland, with a 44-point advantage over SEAT driver Jason Plato. Giovanardi's aim was to finish in the points, as often, and as high as possible, but without taking any risks, and also hope that the support from his team mates – former double British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal, and relative BTCC new boy Tom Onslow-Cole, would be strong and consistent.

A memorable Rally of Finland brought in the second half of the World Rally Championship season. High drama, big accidents and an unexpected victor all graced the 2008 instalment of the iconic gravel event.

V8 Supercar history was made at the Winton Raceway this weekend, as three drivers shared the same number of points for the round, and as the rules state, the overall round winner was the winner of race three. The Ford teams had dominated proceedings at the Queensland meeting, and Mark Winterbottom was hoping that he would lead the Blue Oval charge once again.

Brands Hatch provided the setting for the seventh round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The undulating Kent countryside circuit exhibited temperatures higher than any of those on the WTCC calendar so far. The partisan British crowd all had high expectations for the British trio of Andy Priaulx, Rob Huff and James Thompson.

Oulton Park is widely regarded as one of the top venues in the country for both driver and fans alike where the British Touring Car Championship is concerned. The hot weather, and promise of top class action drew massive crowds to the sleepy Cheshire village of Little Budworth for round seven of the BTCC.