Peugeot's Eaves knocked out of second at Donington

The Peugeot 406 Coup? Race Team were proud to see Dan Eaves on the pace of the Vauxhalls on Sunday as he proved just what he is capable of at Round 23 of The www.theAA.com BTCC at Donington Park in front of a huge crowd.

Eaves who began the SPRINT race from eighth position made an amazing overtaking manoeuvre on lap two taking second from Vauxhall. However as Eaves approached the Old Hairpin bend Plato struck from behind forcing Eaves into the gravel bed, where consequently he had to retire.

Distraught Eaves said, "I managed to overtake Plato and Muller just after Redgate then as Plato was fighting to get in front of me again he hit me, knocking me off the track. I'm annoyed because I was on for a good result. It seems 'they' are racing with their egos rather than their brains."

Soper, on the other-hand, was able to rejoin the Sprint race after an earlier incident, caused by James Thompson, which left him with front body damage. Soper, was clipped on the first lap at Redgate but continued until lap six before pitting for a check-over by Team Manager, Vic Lee. Lee sent Soper back out on lap eight and he later finished in ninth.

After a dry track in the Sprint race the FEATURE (Round 24) race made for interesting racing as the track got increasing wet with several laps being under the safety car.

Moen, (who finished second in today's earlier Sprint race) who drives a Peugeot 306 for Team HTML took first in the Feature race for the seventh time this season, followed closely by team-mate and ex-Peugeot works driver Simon Harrison. Moen is now second in the championship standings for BTC Production.

Furious racing from Steve Soper, who started the race from fifth took third from James Thompson on lap 17 then, as Soper, Bennett and Thompson all pitted simultaneously, the Peugeot race team put Soper through a quick pit-stop and he rejoined the track ahead of both Egg Sport Vauxhalls.

After close racing with the Vauxhall's Soper unfortunately lost his position to his brakes. Soper commented, " I had to retire on lap 21 due to my brakes failing. It is annoying since I was in second but I couldn't have carried on safely." Soper finished the race in ninth.

Eaves, had good pit-stops and held a steady race. With the weather getting progressively worse Eaves put in consistent lap times finishing the Feature race in fifth.