VX Racing’s Fabrizio Giovanardi will start alongside arch-rival Jason Plato in tomorrow’s 13th round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park.

The Italian was just 0.069s off the SEAT driver’s fifth-place in today’s qualifying at the Cheshire circuit but, judging by his sector times, could have been three-tenths faster were it not for back markers blocking Giovanardi’s progress.

The pair are fighting for the BTCC Drivers Championship lead with just two points separating them at the top of the table. That means both carry considerable success ballast, adding to the challenges presented by Oulton’s undulating, twisty circuit.

Giovanardi’s VX Racing team-mate Tom Chilton struggled to find the ideal set-up in today’s changeable conditions, with rain constantly threatening and temperatures rising throughout the day.

The 22-year-old Vauxhall works driver finished in 10th place but says the torrential rain forecast for tomorrow should play into his hands.

The first of tomorrow's three races will start at 12.10pm.

Fabrizio Giovanardi #5

”When the balance of the car is not perfect, you can improve in one corner and lose another because you are pushing too much. That’s why the car has got potential but I did not show it in just one lap.

“For tomorrow, staying dry is best. Between me and Plato it has to be without lottery, the fight.”

Tom Chilton #7

”When a circuit gets hotter, the tyres react differently. It’s particularly relevant at this circuit because it’s the hardest we got to for brakes. You stop from 130mph to next to nothing in 70 yards here, which hurts the front tyres more than most circuits.

“Today the temperature went above the optimum level for our set-up in qualifying but I think it’s going to be cooler tomorrow and my car might have the edge. The problems I had today with the heat and braking should be relieved by the rain.”

Ian Harrison, Team Principal

“We could have been faster than Plato and that’s cheered me up. We’re right with him and that’s where we should be. The car is not quite as comfortable to drive as it should be but Fabrizio did a solid job at the end of the day.

“There’s plenty of things can happen tomorrow but it doesn’t matter what the circuit is or what the weather is, it’s always better to be on the front row.”