Motor Racing: Reid closes the gap in title race

RICKARD RYDELL missed his first chance to clinch the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park yesterday and the title battle goes down to the final rounds at Silverstone next weekend, with the Swede's nearest challenger, Anthony Reid, now much closer.

Reid took a win and a second place in his Nissan, while Rydell in his Volvo was fourth and 11th. The gap between them is now just 11 points, though the series' dropped-score rules mean that in effect Reid will have to score 14 more points than his rival in the last two rounds to win. A maximum score is 33.

Reid is cautiously optimistic. "It doesn't feel like it's mine, but it is possible to win," the Scot said.

Rydell said: "Today's pace is not good enough, we will have to make the car quicker for Silverstone."

Honda's James Thompson took the other win, while the remaining podium spots went to Alain Menu, third in the sprint, and his Renault team mate, Jason Plato, who was second in the feature race ahead of Audi's Yvan Muller in third. Two titles were clinched, with Nissan securing the manufacturers' title and Tommy Rustad winning the Autosport Independents' Cup for non- works drivers.