Darren Turner reversed his earlier fortunes in the third race of the day at Knockhill, winning for the second time this season. Continuing SEAT’s up-down fortunes of recent times, it was Jason Plato’s turn to fail to finish on this occasion, with a shunt on the exit from the Real Radio hairpin bringing his race to a premature end. With Fabrizio Giovanardi coming home in fifth, Plato’s reduction of the points deficit was limited – the SEAT driver leaves Knockhill just three points closer to the reigning champion, trailing by 41 points, with just 104 still up for grabs.

The third race provided a spectacular end to a remarkably dry Knockhill raceday. There was plenty of action from the outset, with both Turner and Motorbase’s Rob Collard getting the better of polesitter Andrew Jordan away from the line. Turner started second but led into the SEAT curves ahead of Collard who started fourth, just behind fellow rear-wheel drive man Colin Turkington.

After winning the first two races, Jason Plato started ninth but found himself running outside the top ten in the early stages, behind all three of the Vauxhalls. Battling with the Vectras was to prove the story of Plato’s race. He looked to be past Tom Onslow-Cole when the young driver was wild and wide on the grass on lap three, however the Vectra held station, with Plato challenging again as they rounded the hairpin.

After six laps, Turner’s lead over Collard was just over one second, with the Motorbase driver a further two seconds ahead of Andrew Jordan. Over the next couple of laps Collard closed the gap to the leader to less than half a second. It looked for a time as though the SEAT engine gremlin was at work again as Turner’s pace appeared to drop off. Ironically though, it was the demise of Jason Plato that that may have saved Turner’s race win. Plato’s battle with Onslow-Cole continued as the pair came around the Real Radio hairpin on lap eight. Plato had the inside line exiting the corner and pushed the Vauxhall wide as they started to climb the hill. However, Onslow-Cole moved back across the track, tagging the rear of the Leon, sending Plato speaing into the tyre barriers on the outside.

Plato’s impact was enough to bring out the safety car, breaking the momentum that second placed Collard had built up behind Turner.

At the restart three laps later, Turner looked more comfortable at the front, with Collard more occupied with Andrew Jordan’s Integra, which was looming large in his mirrors.

There was plenty of action in the lower half of the top ten in the second half of the race. Despite chasing third-placed Andrew Jordan earlier on, Gordon Shedden found himself looking over his shoulder, defending from former teammate Matt Neal. Neal in turn was under pressure from Colin Turkington. As if that was not enough, Turkington had Fabrizio Giovanardi just behind him. Giovanardi lost a place to Mat Jackson, but the Italian was unperturbed and kept his cool, waiting for his chance later in the race.

The key to Fabrizio Giovanardi’s championship challenge this year has been consistently scoring points – in every round. And to score points, you have to finish the race. Giovanardi has a knack of staying out of trouble and somehow he managed this again in this race. While other cars around him were flying off the track – and there was plenty of that going on in the closing stages – Giovanardi found the right line and somehow clawed his way up to fifth position.

Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden made contact and went off the track. Neal then collided with Colin Turkington and both were again lucky to remain on the track, with Turkington pulling off a remarkable save in the Team RAC BMW. Then in the closing stages, Neal found himself battling with Colin Turkington.

After 27 laps, Darren Turner held on to take victory. Rob Collard finished in second position, also clinching the first ever BTCC independents victory for Motorbase Performance. Andrew Jordan finished third, for the second time in as many meetings. Mat Jackson was fourth, ahead of Fabrizio Giovanardi and Tom Chilton. Matt Neal crossed the line seventh, with Gordon Shedden eighth. Steven Kane finished ninth and Adam Jones was tenth.