Jason Plato, who led by nine points at the start of the day, was second to Giovanardi in races one and two.

But the Briton's fourth place was not enough in a third race cut short by Mike Jordan's crash on lap 15.

And Giovanardi's second behind winner Mat Jackson saw him claim the title by just three points after 30 races.

"To win the title like that is amazing because we had to fight to the end. A one-point gap going into the last race meant the pressure was very high," Giovanardi commented.

He pulled away early from Plato in the final race after the pair had lined up eighth and seventh on the starting grid respectively.

606: DEBATE Giovanardi is a deserving and worthy champion GordonMurray

Giovanardi quickly made his way up to third after reigning champion Matt Neal, rumoured to be joining VX Racing in 2008, waved the Italian through.

Plato finally found a way past arch-rival Neal on lap 12 but was still trying to find a way past Giovanardi's team-mate Tom Chilton when race stewards were forced to end the race one lap early after Jordan crashed heavily on the final corner.

"It all hung on the final race where I didn't get a very good start, so unfortunately that will have to go down to me. I knew if the Vauxhalls came past, then they would gang up as a team," said Plato.

British Touring Car Championship - final standings

1. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), 300pts
2. Jason Plato (GBR), 297
3. Gordon Shedden (GBR), 200
4. Matt Neal (GBR), 195
5. Colin Turkington (GBR), 184
6. Darren Turner (GBR), 160
7. Mat Jackson (GBR), 158
8. Mike Jordan (GBR), 131
9. Tom Chilton (GBR), 130
10. Tom Onslow-Cole (GBR), 109