FABRIZIO Giovanardi moved into second place in the British Touring Car Championship on Sunday by taking his fifth win of the season in spectacular style.

Giovanardi, who drives for the Greatworth-based VX Racing team, dominated the BTCC's third race of the day at Croft in North Yorkshire.

The Italian has now racked up more victories than any other driver this year, putting him just two points behind SEAT's Jason Plato.

Victory was even sweeter for the team after disappointing races earlier in the day that saw a retirement for the team's other driver Tom Chilton, and a collision for Giovanardi, when he was challenging for a podium position.

Giovanardi said: "This win is important for me, for the crew, for everyone. Now I just have to keep my head and finish every race with points."

Chilton said his weekend started to go wrong when he could only qualify in 11th position.

BTCC Drivers Championship 2007: 1. Jason Plato (127); 2. Fabrizio Giovanardi (125); 3. Matt Neal (81); 4. Tom Chilton (75) BTCC Manufacturers Championship: 1. Vauxhall (264); 2. SEAT (236) BTCC Team Championship: 1. VX Racing (190); 2. SEAT Sport UK (187); 3. Team Halfords (131)