Giovanardi slips through the spinners to take flag; TOURING CARS.

REIGNING champion Fabrizio Giovanardi won two of yesterday's three races at Snetterton to go second in the British Touring Car Championship standings.

The Italian won an eventful first race, in which pollsitter Jason Plato and Colin Turkington came together in the first lap, then doubled up in the second ahead of Turkington.

Giovanardi was third in the first race as James Nash claimed his first ever BTCC victory.

Vauxhall Vectra driver Giovanardi took advantage of a coming together between Plato (Racing Silverline Chevrolet) and championship leader Turkington as the pair battled for the lead heading into the Esses.

Turkington was able to continue, ultimately finishing fifth in his Team RAC BMW, but the incident ultimately forced Plato out.

Giovanardi then passed team-mate Andrew Jordan, who was unhappy with the performance of his car and later span out, to finish first ahead of Warwickshire's Mat Jackson (Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti) and Paul O'Neill (sunshine.co. uk Honda Integra).

The Italian said: "I was quite lucky because there were cars going everywhere in front of me at the start.

"But once I was in front I made sure to build a gap and then managed the distance to the others behind. I actually did not expect this result so I am very happy."

The second race proved less eventful as Giovanardi led from start to finish, winning ahead of Turkington and Plato, who started from the back of the grid.

Plato said: "I'd had a long face after race one when I'd retired but this is a big help.

"I'm in this championship to win it, after all, so although Colin and Fabrizio have pulled slightly further away I've at least limited the damage as much as I could from a difficult position."

Nash (RML Chevrolet) then became the first driver to win this season, but his victory was not without controversy. Nash struck race leader Robert Collard (Airwaves BMW), who spun and was hit by Team RAC's Stephen Jelley.

The incident saw Collard taken to hospital, but Nash recovered to win the race.

Turkington will take a 16-point lead over Giovanardi into the seventh round at Knockhill, with Matt Neal 26 points behind in third.