Brands Hatch hosted the final round of the BTCC season, just as it had the opener. With the driver’s title and the independents title still to be settled, it was sure to be an exciting weekend of racing action. Fabrizio Giovanardi was the clear favourite over rival Jason Plato, but as with any form of motor racing, nothing is certain until the chequered flag is waved.

The qualifying session proved to be a very interesting one, Plato and Giovanardi were down in 10th and 11th respectively. At the front it was BTCC rookie Stephen Jelley who took a fantastic pole position, in what was so much a shock that his Team RAC mechanics initially thought there was a problem with the timing system. Mat Jackson took second in another BMW, with Darren Turner third. In an ominous line-up there were three more BMWs in the top nine, with Colin Turkington in 6th, Rob Collard in 7th and Steven Kane in 9th.

Jelley got away well in the first race, as did all of the BMWs, but it was Mat Jackson who piled on pressured instantly and managed to pass within the first lap. Jelley endured gearbox problems as he fell back towards the back of the pack. Championship leader Giovanardi experienced something he had yet to so far this season, a non point-scoring race. After an incident in Paddock Hill bend, the Italian driver was forced wide onto the gravel and collected gravel in his radiator, which left him battling in the lowly positions of the pack. Plato was attempting to seize the moment, and given Giovanardi’s unfortunate incident, he needed to claim at least 4th to keep the championship battle alive for race two. Plato’s teammate was running in second to Mat Jackson, with three BMWs of Kane, Collard and Turkington behind him, then Plato who was being pushed hard by Matt Neal. Turner, under team orders, slowed into lap 23, to allow Plato to make up one place, but in doing so he cut Matt Neal up in what appeared to be a very dangerous manoeuvre. Neal’s VX Racing Vectra was pushed wide, and in reality that sort of driving should be penalised. Plato had no answer to the pace of the four leading BMWs, and had to settle for fifth, which would not be enough. As he crossed the line, Giovanardi had successfully defended his 2007 title, and was the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Champion. Mat Jackson took the win, followed by the Motorbase pair of Steven Kane and Rob Collard. Kane had moved up from 9th to 2nd.

In what was becoming a freak weekend for the Vauxhall team, and Giovanardi, the Italian did not make the grid for the second race. Engine repairs after the first race left to the car not starting, and as such he watched from the pits. The battle was now on for the Independents Trophy, with Jackson on 303 points, and Turkington on 306 prior to the race. Jackson started well, but Turkington slipped back behind Plato and Matt Neal. Rob Collard slipped past teammate Kane, as again the Motorbase drivers put on a great display. Plato retired as his car slowed after very light contact with Matt Neal, but it was the VX Racing driver who was on the charge. He moved up to a fine second behind eventual race winner Mat Jackson. Jackson’s rival Turkington was driving well, as he followed Neal to take third step on the podium. Collard and Kane were 4th and 5th respectively.

After the race Jackson drew number 8, which meant that Team Halfords driver Tom Chilton would start on pole for the final race of the season. Behind him would be rookie Andrew Jordan, Tom Onslow-Cole and then three very fast starting BMWs.

Chilton got away well, as he leapt into first, but Jordan slipped back. Steven Kane managed to move into third behind Onslow-Cole. Midway through the first lap, John George cut back across the front of Darren Turner’s SEAT. George’s car speared off into the wall at speed, and flipped into a series of horrifying rolls, eventually landing on its side on the track. The doctor’s car pulled up behind, and he was removed from the car in a very efficient manner by the marshals and rescue crews. He walked away from the incident, but was kept in hospital overnight for observation, but was released on Monday with no major injuries. The incident is testament to the strength and safety of the BTCC cars, as well as the professional manner, in which the marshals, medical crews and safety crews operate within the BTCC. Chilton managed the restart well and drove with great professionalism to claim a fantastic victory. In doing so he even managed to stay on track where others fell off. Paddock Hill bend become an ice rink, as one of the Arkas Racing cars dropped oil just as the leaders were heading into the corner. Chilton slowed and drove well through the hazard, but a mistake meant Onslow-Cole made an excursion to the gravel. He only dropped to third, and for that was very fortunate. Collard and Shedden also had problems with the oil, but continued. The safety car was deployed, and it seemed the race would be completed under the safety car, but instead the race organisers elected to red flag the race and declare the result. Chilton won, from Kane and Onslow-Cole.

The 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Roll of Honour:
Driver’s Championship: Fabrizio Giovanardi
Team’s Championship: VX Racing
Manufacturer’s Championship: Vauxhall
Independent Driver’s Championship: Colin Turkington
Independent Team’s Championship: Team RAC

As the teams and driver’s all head into a winter break to reflect on 2008, and to prepare for 2009, some massive changes are set to take place within the BTCC. The most noticeable is the withdrawal of SEAT as a manufacturer, as they aim to invest in other areas of marketing with the regards to the UK arm of the brand. This of course leaves two top drivers in Jason Plato and Darren Turner seeking drives elsewhere. Mike Jordan has hinted that he may not race again in the BTCC, which if this is true, he will be missed greatly by the whole BTCC setup. Mike is a true racer, and one who always adds to the whole BTCC experience. In the rumour mill, former BTCC champion James Thompson has been linked with a return to the series, and Andrew Jordan has been heavily linked with a drive for Team Halfords.

Final Race 1 Standings (Top 10):
    1.  Mat Jackson (I)
    2.  Steven Kane (I)
    3.  Robert Collard (I)
    4.  Colin Turkington (I)
    5.  Jason Plato
    6.  Matt Neal
    7.  Darren Turner
    8.  Tom Chilton
    9.  Tom Onslow-Cole
   10.  Andrew Jordan (I)

  NB: 1. (I) Denotes drivers eligible for the Independents Trophy

Final Race 2 Standings (Top 10):
    1.  Mat Jackson (I)
    2.  Matt Neal
    3.  Colin Turkington (I)
    4.  Robert Collard (I)
    5.  Steven Kane (I)
    6.  Tom Chilton
    7.  Andrew Jordan (I)
    8.  Tom Onslow-Cole
    9.  Gordon Shedden
   10.  Mike Jordan (I)

  NB: 1. (I) Denotes drivers eligible for the Independents Trophy

Final Race 3 Standings (Top 10):
    1.  Tom Chilton
    2.  Steven Kane (I)
    3.  Tom Onslow-Cole
    4.  Mat Jackson (I)
    5.  Colin Turkington (I)
    6.  Robert Collard (I)
    7.  Andrew Jordan (I)
    8.  Matt Neal
    9.  Gordon Shedden
   10.  Mike Jordan (I)

  NB: 1. (I) Denotes drivers eligible for the Independents Trophy

Driver's Championship Standings (Top 10):
    1.  Fabrizio Giovanardi   262 Pts
    2.  Mat Jackson           226 Pts
    3.  Jason Plato           223 Pts
    4.  Colin Turkington      212 Pts
    5.  Matt Neal             185 Pts
    6.  Tom Onslow-Cole       170 Pts
    7.  Gordon Shedden        144 Pts
    8.  Darren Turner         133 Pts
    9.  Adam Jones            119 Pts
   10.  Tom Chilton           107 Pts

Independents Trophy Standings (Top 10):
    1.  Colin Turkington      323 Pts
    2.  Mat Jackson           313 Pts
    3.  Adam Jones            262 Pts
    4.  Steven Kane           196 Pts
    5.  Robert Collard        189 Pts
    6.  Andrew Jordan         138 Pts
    7.  Mike Jordan           133 Pts
    8.  Stephen Jelley        118 Pts
    9.  Harry Vaulkhard        82 Pts
   10.  Jason Hughes           70 Pts

Manufacturer's Championship Standings:
    1.  Vauxhall   697 Pts
    2.  SEAT       545 Pts