Victory Eludes Local Hero Smith At Mondello Park
Monday, April 24th, 2006Dubliner Gavin Smith was frustrated in his hopes to become Ireland���s first ever race winner in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship today ��� to the disappointment of his home crowd.
In the BTCC���s only overseas event ��� Ireland���s Mondello Park ��� Smith challenged for the lead of the day���s third race for VX Racing but the country���s hopes were dashed when the 28-year-old ran wide on the 10th lap. The chasing pack made Smith pay dearly for his mistake, swamping his VX Astra Sport Hatch and forcing him back into fifth.
Independent entrant Mike Jordan (Honda Integra) went on to score his first BTCC victory in that race. The previous two races of the day were both won by defending champion Matt Neal (Honda Integra).
Smith���s team-mates all struggled at the Dublin circuit, which last year saw VXR win all three rounds.
In the day���s first race, Smith and his team-mates Fabrizio Giovanardi and Tom Chilton finished in eighth, seventh and sixth places.