British Touring Car Championship

Shedden and Neal team up for podium double in BTCC finale

01/10/17

Shedden and Neal team up for podium double in BTCC finale

Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal fight hard for rostrum result
Halfords Yuasa Racing outscores all rivals in 2017 finale
Honda Civic Type R proves prowess come rain and shine

Halfords Yuasa Racing duo Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal claimed a podium finish apiece in a pulsating 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale this weekend (30 September / 1 October), as the reigning champion went down fighting at Brands Hatch GP.

Around the legendary former Formula 1 circuit, Neal qualified sixth on the 30-strong grid, with Shedden – carrying more success ballast by dint of his higher championship position – only three tenths-of-a-second further back, but in a closely-matched field, that equated to just 16^th place.

The defending title-holder – still in with a slim chance of retaining his hard-fought crown – produced a storming drive in race one to scythe through the pack on a damp track on slick tyres to seventh at the chequered flag, comfortably posting fastest lap along the way.

Neal struggled more in the tricky conditions and wound up three spots further back in tenth, before both men went on a charge in race two, working in tandem to fight their way to second (Shedden) and third at the chequered flag, in so doing securing Honda’s third podium double of the season.

As the rain returned for the day’s third and final encounter, the pair battled hard with hefty success ballast on-board, with Shedden ultimately flashing across the finish line in sixth and Neal just behind in eighth to cement fourth and seventh positions in the Drivers’ championship respectively.

Halfords Yuasa Racing and Honda won the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ awards for the weekend, to snare second spot in the overall Teams’ standings and third in the Manufacturers’ classification.

Gordon Shedden:
“Qualifying left us on the back foot and with a mountain to climb. It wasn’t a bad run by any means – we were only three tenths behind Matt even with the extra weight on-board, but as expected it was pretty tight. After that, all three races were very enjoyable, with plenty of fun battles. We made a lot of progress in race one – tyre choice was a bit of a lottery, but slicks were definitely the right call – and then the Civic Type R felt fantastic in race two and we were able to really fight our way through. Race three was obviously a disappointing way to finish; we just didn’t get the wet set-up right, which made it hard work. We gave it our best shot and whilst it wasn’t quite enough on this occasion, we’ll come back stronger next year.”

Matt Neal:
“The weekend got off to a solid start in qualifying, which put us in a good position but then race one didn’t go to plan. We struggled in the greasy conditions and we’re not quite sure why. Race two was much better; the car felt fantastic, especially through the quick stuff, where it was really strong. I actually thought we had the legs to go for the win halfway through, but to finish on the podium was still a great result. Unfortunately, we had predicted that race three would be dry so we set the car up accordingly – and then of course the heavens opened! I did my best to help ‘Flash’ in his fight for third in the championship and it certainly got a bit ‘busy’ out there at times. We didn’t quite make it, which is reflective of the season in general – but there’s always next year...”

Final Drivers’ Standings

1. Ashley Sutton 372 points
2. Colin Turkington 351 points
3. Tom Ingram 311 points
4. Gordon Shedden 309 points
5. Rob Collard 256 points
6. Jack Goff 245 points
7. Matt Neal 243 points

Final Manufacturers’ Standings

1. BMW 782 points
2. Subaru 751 points
3. Honda 726 points
4. Vauxhall 580 points
5. MG 369 points

Final Teams’ Standings

1. Team BMW 594 points
2. Halfords Yuasa Racing 545 points
3. Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 513 points
4. Speedworks Motorsport 307 points
5. Eurotech Racing 286 points
6. Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo 235 points

Click on the images above and below to download high-res versions

Honda Racing BTCC

Ashley Sutton crowned BTCC champion

02/10/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 24344836

Ashley Sutton crowned BTCC champion
Subaru star seals title on dramatic day at Brands Hatch

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ashley Sutton has won the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after a dramatic day of racing at Brands Hatch.

Colin Turkington's sensational race two win left Sutton with just a six point advantage going into the season finale and a nail biting climax seemed set to grip the legendary Kent circuit.

The action had already commenced in tumultuous fashion when pole-sitter Jack Goff spun away his advantage in the opening race amidst greasy conditions.

Having the unenviable task of being the first driver to run on the damp surface through one of motorsport’s most daunting corners – Paddock Hill Bend – Goff lost control of his Eurotech Racing Honda and ended up in the barrier.

Aiden Moffat – the BTCC’s youngest ever driver – went on to produce a mature defensive masterclass to win the race, with Tom Ingram and Sutton finishing second and third respectively.

Race two will live long in the memory as Team BMW’s Turkington kept his title chances alive with a sensational victory.

The double BTCC champion surged from 15th on the grid – making incredible pass after pass – to eventually muscle his way by long-time leader Moffat to clinch an emotional win. Turkington also had to get past title rival Sutton during a quite sublime performance, leaving the title race tantalisingly poised going into the 30th and final round.

A pre-race rain shower ahead of the showdown saw the vast majority of the field switching to Dunlop BluResponse wet tyres on the grid – further adding to the tension – with Turkington and Sutton among those leaving it late to make the change.

Turkington made a clean getaway from tenth on the grid with Sutton following his title rival just behind. The duo made their way through the order in the early running, but disaster struck Team BMW's Turkington just as he looked to have broken away from his main competitor.

Ingram's Toyota touched the Ford of Mat Jackson through Graham Hill Bend on lap two, forcing the latter wide on the exit of the turn. As Jackson's Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo car returned to the track there was unfortunate contact made with the oncoming 1-Series of Turkington.

It was immediately clear that the rear-right upright on Turkington's car had broken and his title dream was over. Sutton nipped through into fourth, although his advances were merely academic as Turkington's inevitable retirement meant the young Subaru star had already secured a fantastic maiden BTCC title, also becoming the youngest champion in the modern era.

The race win went to Handy Motorsport's Rob Austin – the third of his BTCC career – as he pulled clear of the chasing pack in fine style. As rain continued to descend on the famous Grand Prix circuit and Jack Goff claimed a hard-earned second place, which was just reward for the pace shown by the Eurotech Racing driver over the course of the weekend.

The loudest cheer, however, went to Sutton as he completed the podium positions after a pass by pole-sitter Michael Epps. Sutton's season statistics of six race wins and a total of 14 podiums are testament to the speed and brilliance shown by the 23-year-old, and the huge crowd rose as one to welcome home the new BTCC champion.

Ingram eventually finished fourth as he took Independent Drivers' honours, whilst also securing the Independent Teams' title for his Speedworks Motorsport squad. Furthermore, Ingram claimed third in the overall standings after seeing off the challenge from reigning champion Gordon Shedden.

Whilst facing initial disappointment for missing out on the overall Drivers' crown there was still huge joy for Team BMW as it took both the Manufacturers' and Teams' championships.

Power Maxed Racing’s Senna Proctor enjoyed another hugely competitive day as he finished his rookie campaign by lifting the coveted Jack Sears Trophy.

With the final curtain falling on another incredible Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, we will be back once again when the 2018 season gets underway here in Kent at Brands Hatch on 7/8 April.

Ashley Sutton (Adrian Flux Subaru Racing – Drivers’ Champion) said: “Nothing can top this, nothing at all. I feel sick inside because of the buzz! I can’t thank everyone enough, Adrian Flux Subaru Racing have done me so proud this year. Whatever Colin (Turkington) was doing, I was just trying to match during the opening laps, so he didn’t get out of sight. There was a coming-together involving Colin (Turkington) and somebody else and I got a radio call with the team saying he was out, and they told me to go and enjoy myself.

“Obviously the first round here back in April wasn’t ideal and we induced the rollercoaster after what happened at Silverstone but the team kept picking me up when I needed them. I’ve always been one to set targets throughout my career so far. Every championship I’ve been a part of, I’ve achieved my target. I did it last year with the Jack Sears Trophy and now to do what we wanted to do this year, it’s an unreal feeling and it’ll take a long time to sink in. Since the end of 2014, Warren (Scott) has been the one that has taken me under his wing and he’s the one who’s given me this opportunity and got me here today. I did that for him.”

Colin Turkington (Team BMW – Drivers’ Runner-up, Manufacturers’ Champions, Teams’ Champions) said: “We gave it everything and we fought to the end. I’m just disappointed for everybody in the team, although it’s still a great achievement to win the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles. The guys made the right choice to go on wet tyres and we were making really good progress, but we were just unlucky with the way things unfolded. Mat (Jackson) wouldn’t even have known I was there. It was nobody’s fault – I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and the cards didn’t fall our way. What can I say? We gave it our best shot.”

Tom Ingram (Speedworks Motorsport – Independent Drivers’ Champion, Independent Teams’ Champions) said: “Absolutely remarkable. What we have achieved this season is huge. We are a little team running out of a chicken shed, but I have never seen so much passion and commitment to get the job done. The pressure was certainly on in race three when Gordon got behind me but there was no way he was going to take that place from me. I know it’s a cliché but this really is what dreams are made of and it has been an incredible year.”

Senna Proctor (Power Maxed Racing – Jack Sears Trophy Champion) said: “We sealed the Jack Sears Trophy which was the goal this year. Power Maxed Racing have done a great job for me and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s gone. We had a couple of races that were the ones that got away but I’m buzzing to be back next year after a great season. It doesn’t seem like two minutes ago that we were here testing the Vauxhall Astra for the first time.”

Aiden Moffat (Laser Tools Racing – Brands Hatch race winner) said: “It’s a great way to end the season and a nice belated birthday present. The Laser Tools guys and the Ciceley Motorsport mob gave me a great car – it’s felt brilliant all weekend. After getting that first win at Donington Park, we thought we'd cracked it but it turned out to be a bit of a frustrating mid-season for us. It didn’t amount to anything but to get that win today is a great result.”

Rob Austin (Handy Motorsport – Brands Hatch race winner) said: “I made some silly mistakes in races one and two earlier today. I lost my grandmother at Silverstone and she was my biggest fan – this one was for her. We’re already working hard on the Alfa Romeo for next year, and we’ve got some fantastic partners so we’ll see what we can do. Well done to Ash Sutton for winning the title.”

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 28 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing 15 laps
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.345s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.499s
4 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +14.474s
5 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +15.802s
6 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +16.195s
7 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +19.140s
8 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +29.547s
9 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +31.577s
10 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +41.344s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 29 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 15 laps
2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.605s
3 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2.246s
4 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +3.756s
5 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +5.923s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +6.486s
7 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +6.832s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +7.252s
9 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +7.854s
10 Michael EPPS (GBR) TAG Racing +8.001s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 30 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport 17 laps
2 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +3.185s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +4.741s
4 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +10.965s
5 Michael EPPS (GBR) TAG Racing +13.978s
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +15.024s
7 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +15.330s
8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +16.008s
9 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +22.924s
10 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +24.538s

Penalties:

Round 28:
Senna Proctor was given a verbal warning for an incident involving Adam Morgan

Round 29:
Colin Turkington was fined £500 and received three penalty points for an incident involving Aiden Moffat

Round 30:
Tom Ingram was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points for an incident involving Mat Jackson

Captions:
Above: Ash Sutton – 2017 BTCC Champion Below top: Sutton sealed the biggest prize in British motor sport in his second season Below left: It was a head-to-head between Sutton and Colin Turkington Below right: Aiden Moffat scored a popular win in the opener Below second left: The BTCC draws the crowds at its finale Below second right: Rob Austin produced a fitting send off for his Toyota Avensis, victorious in the finale Below middle large: Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport – Independents' Champions Below third left: Team BMW – Teams' and Manufacturers' Champions Below third right: It was this close between Sutton and Turkington Below bottom large: The Ulsterman took his title chase down to the wire after a stunning victory in race two

READ MORE

Ash Sutton third as drama strikes Colin Turkington in BTCC title race

01/10/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 24331648

Jack Goff grabs another pole
Ash Sutton third as drama strikes Colin Turkington in BTCC title race

Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff grabbed his third pole position of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship whilst drama struck the title fight in qualifying at Brands Hatch.

Rain and red flags interrupted the early running as Brett Smith and Josh Cook were among those to go off in the greasy conditions, but it was all eyes on Team BMW's Colin Turkington whose car failed to start in the pitlane.

An electrical problem struck Turkington's BMW 125i M Sport, and would plague his machine for much of the session, although his West Surrey Racing team were able to make some use of the delay to rectify the issue whilst Cook's stricken MG was retrieved from the gravel.

Fellow title contender and championship leader Ash Sutton suffered no such problems, as he clocked a sensational lap to go second in his ballast-laden Subaru Levorg following the restart. The young Adrian Flux Subaru Racing star would be relegated down to third late on after Laser Tools Racing's Aiden Moffat rounded off his own impressive day with a stellar effort.

Moffat's Mercedes had been a front-runner in an earlier practice session, and he produced the goods when it mattered to make the front row for the second time in his BTCC career. Sutton looked to respond on his final lap – setting the fastest first sector overall – but he eventually fell short.

Third still represents a huge success for Sutton as Turkington's struggles continued until deep in the session. The multiple championship winning WSR squad did a great job to eventually get the Ulsterman out on track, but with little time to make significant inroads he could only set a time quick enough for 17th on the grid.

Back up front and Handy Motorsport's Rob Austin and Power Maxed Racing's Tom Chilton performed well to line-up fourth and fifth respectively, ahead of triple BTCC champion Matt Neal.

Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport are targeting both Independents' titles this weekend and the Toyota star is nicely poised to fulfil those ambitions from seventh on the grid.

Local light Jake Hill hauled his TAG Racing VW CC around the 2.43-mile Grand Prix circuit to clinch eighth ahead of Adam Morgan's Mercedes and Jason Plato's Subaru.

So it is on to tomorrow's season finale, with three thrilling BTCC races set to decide the destiny of Britain's most coveted motor sport crown. Sutton holds a ten point lead over rival Turkington, as well as a 14-place advantage on the grid for the opener, but anything can happen in the BTCC.

A huge crowd is expected to attend the legendary Kent circuit with many more watching the live and exclusive action on ITV4, which will get underway at 10:30am.

Jack Goff said: "These boys at Eurotech Racing have given me three poles and Jeff (Smith) one – that’s more than anybody else on the grid and the Honda Civic Type R was fantastic. Being where we were in practice, we knew we had a quick car in the dry and when the rain came down, we thought our hard work was going to go to waste. We’re fully aware of a fast-starting rear-wheel drive Subaru around us but we’ll see what we can do. I’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve got the Independents’ to fight for but to go for that title, I need to go out and try and get the win here."

Aiden Moffat said: "It’s a nice change to be up at the right end of the grid after the last few qualifying sessions! Some of that has been down to bad luck, some has been small issues and some has been the driver not performing! The car felt brilliant; the Mercedes is always amazing round here. I want to thank the Laser Tools boys and the Ciceley crew for giving me a great car as always at this event. I always feel confident coming to Brands GP and we managed to put the lap together."

Ash Sutton said: "That couldn’t have gone any better for us, especially with the 14 place deficit to Colin (Turkington). The team were making me aware of that gap but they came over the radio though and said I needed four more tenths! You can never leave anything on the table and I was pushing. The start of the session was a complete write off with the weather and changing tyres over so with less than half a session to go at, it wasn’t a bad result. The car and Adrian Flux Subaru Racing have done me proud and I owe a lot to Jason who was towing me around. The 75kgs of success ballast hinder us and having that draft counteracts the ballast at least. It’s going to be a hunt for points. I know Colin’s more than capable of pushing up the order but I’ll be concentrating on my own race – I don’t need to do anything silly."

Colin Turkington said: "Obviously it was a very difficult session for the whole team. Rob (Collard) unfortunately didn’t get out, and then we found a problem on my car on the very first lap which forced us back into the pits for a long time. Thankfully, the boys managed to resolve the problem, but it left me with very little opportunity to set a representative lap time. As usual, we improved the car throughout free practice and qualifying, but the most frustrating thing is there is so much more pace still sitting in it – we just needed a few more laps to release a bit more time. On the positive side, I’m 17^th instead of 30^th, so at least I’m halfway up the grid but it obviously isn’t where we should be. We just need to reset now. The points are handed out tomorrow, not today, so it’s better that this happens now and whilst it’s always tough to make progress through the field, this is far from over."

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Brands Hatch GP

1 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing 1m30.802s (96.47mph)
2 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.357s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.363s
4 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +0.459s
5 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.481s
6 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.487s
7 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.502s
8 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +0.505s
9 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.530s
10 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.543s
11 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.612s
12 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +0.615s
13 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.653s
14 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.699s
15 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +0.699s
16 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.790s
17 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.796s
18 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.807s
19 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.834s
20 Michael EPPS (GBR) TAG Racing +0.871s
21 Aron TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.891s
22 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +0.891s
23 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.901s
24 Josh PRICE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.209s
25 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.406s
26 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.429s
27 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +1.638s
28 Stewart LINES (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +2.979s
29 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance NO TIME
30 Brett SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing NO TIME

Captions:
Above: Jack Goff's third pole of the season places him nicely as he looks to hunt down leading Independent driver Tom Ingram Below top: Eurotech and Goff are on a fine run Below left: Young Scot Aiden Moffat lines up second Below right: Advantage Sutton in the race for the title – he starts third Below second left: Turkington endured issues with his BMW on the way to just 17th Below second right: A strong showing for Handy Motorsport as Rob Austin managed the fourth-fastest time Below third left: A season's-best quali for Chilton – fifth Below third right: Indy standings leader Ingram defends his points advantage from seventh Below bottom left: Local boy Jake Hill sped to an impressive eighth Below bottom right: BTCC 2017 draws to a close this weekend at Brands Hatch

READ MORE

Title race set for showdown after sensational day at Silverstone Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington locked in BTCC Battle Royale

18/09/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 24190390

Title race set for showdown after sensational day at Silverstone
Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington locked in BTCC Battle Royale

The 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will go down to the wire at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time after a sensational penultimate race day at Silverstone saw the title picture take a number of twists and turns.

A head-to-head is poised between standings leader Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington with just ten points covering the pair, whilst Gordon Shedden and Tom Ingram still have the faintest of chances to clinch the coveted crown.

Tom Ingram, Jack Goff and Matt Neal claimed a win apiece on the day as the huge crowd enjoyed a thrilling triple-header in Northamptonshire.

Speedworks Motorsport’s Ingram took an early lead from pole-sitter Goff in the opener and the Toyota man subsequently romped on to claim his fourth victory of the season.

Eurotech Racing’s Goff kept the eventual race winner honest throughout, but Ingram would hang on until red flags ended the encounter prematurely.

Adam Morgan grabbed an impressive – if a little lonely – third place finish, but it was the accident behind that provided the main bulk of the action.

Chris Smiley’s Chevrolet and Aron Taylor-Smith’s MG touched on the run down to Maggotts on lap 14, which had a knock-on effect on those behind. Rob Collard’s BMW was collected in the melee and his damaged machine left the track, slid wildly across the grass, before firing back across the circuit at Becketts. An unsighted Will Burns then slammed into Collard’s car, with Andrew Jordan also unfortunately involved – ending the trio’s respective efforts and eventually resulting in the race being cut short.

Collard and Burns were both taken to hospital for precautionary checks, with the latter suffering rib injuries, but both were discharged later in the day.

Goff returned the favour on race one winner Ingram as the Honda Civic Type R driver claimed a hugely popular and impressive win in the second bout.

Ingram’s Toyota made another stellar getaway as the pole position man fended off Goff’s Honda out of the traps. Goff hounded Ingram in the early running, however, and made a firm move stick into Becketts on lap three. Goff then went on take a dominant victory – his first for Eurotech Racing.

The scrap for the final podium position had implications on the title race with championship leader Sutton making a last gasp move on rival Turkington.

Team BMW’s Turkington was in defensive mode as Sutton nosed his Subaru down the inside into Luffield on the final tour, and the former couldn’t hang on as the young standings leader completed the pass on the approach to Woodcote.

Stewards reviewed the incident post-race, however, and Sutton was subsequently penalised for the move – the podium place awarded to Turkington as a result. As this was the young star’s third penalty strike of the season, he was then forced to start the final contest from the back of the grid.

Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Neal surged from 12th on the grid to win the final thriller, which also saw Power Maxed Racing’s Rob Huff and BTC Norlin Racing’s Dave Newsham score crowd-pleasing podium finishes.

Pole-sitter Newsham bogged down from pole position, enabling Huff’s Vauxhall to inherit the lead early on.

Speedworks Motorsport’s Ingram picked up the baton in challenging Huff for the lead and the duo went side-by-side at mid-distance, but Huff’s staunch defence was enough to see off the Toyota.

Neal was busy making ground and when he disposed of Ingram, Newsham and Adam Morgan’s Mercedes with relative ease, the triple BTCC champion then began hauling in Huff’s Vauxhall Astra.

The latter’s defence was finally broken on lap 21 of 25 as Neal’s Honda nipped up the inside at Becketts. The veteran racer went on to extend his advantage over the remainder of the race to take his 61st BTCC victory.

The title chase took another incredible twist when Turkington’s BMW got caught up in someone else’s incident, ending his weekend on a rather low point, especially given he was unable to capitalise on rival Sutton's earlier penalty.

His 125i M Sport had already been shuffled down the order before an altercation involving Stephen Jelley’s Ford and Jason Plato’s Subaru happened directly in front of him. The Ulsterman had nowhere to go and heavy contact followed, leaving the championship contender crawling back to the pits with a damaged Bavarian machine.

Therefore it was 11th placed Sutton who arguably had the most to celebrate. With Turkington and reigning champion Shedden hitting trouble, the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing driver was able to extend his championship lead to ten points with 67 still on offer at the Brands Hatch season finale.

BMW and Team BMW maintained their lead in the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ standings. Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport hold the initiative in both Independents’ tables, whilst Power Maxed Racing’s Senna Proctor now boasts an unassailable points lead in the Jack Sears Trophy. The youngster has flourished in his maiden BTCC campaign. Tallying 14 JST victories, he's been a force to be reckoned with in the Vauxhall Astra.

Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will take place at Brands Hatch on 30 September/1 October with yet another enthralling title showdown set to wow the crowds.

Ashley Sutton said: "I’m over the moon with that – I didn’t expect it. We were on the back foot to start with and we’ve bounced back from it. It was always going to be a tough ask – I said on the grid top 15 would be nice. I was assisted with the incidents going on and I’m pleased to have bounced back like that. It was a nice little sight to see Turkington on the exit there and it took a little bit of the pressure off – it was a nice surprise. The BTCC is the pinnacle of British motorsport. For me, it’s time to reset and sit down with the team – Carl (Faux) and Jason (Plato). Jason’s been here before and I need to pick out what I can ahead of Brands."

Colin Turkington said: "A third and a fourth have helped us close in, even if it was just by two points. It really took a twist from the first corner in race three with a couple of guys going off. The first sequence of the lap went okay for me. I got tagged going into Brooklands on the first lap. That turned me around three-quarters of the way down the field. There was another incident at Luffield and the cars ahead made a roadblock – I couldn’t get out of the way. It’s so frustrating. I worked so hard in race one or two to claw points back but there’s nothing I could have done to stop that race three drama unfolding so I’ve just got to go and reset and go on to Brands. I’m obviously on the back foot. From race one I’ve got to start reducing the deficit. It’s a positive it's only ten points now, I’ve taken two from the gap having finished just two of the races really. I have nothing to protect heading to Brands, it’s clear in my head I've got to outscore Ash (Sutton) at every opportunity – it’s very straightforward for me from that point of view."

Tom Ingram said: "I'm delighted with the win. It was a bit of a strange one with that late incident. We had that safety car and you’re just focusing on where you need to drop the hammer and on keeping temperatures up. I got the jump on the restart and all of a sudden, I got the call that there would be a red flag. I really didn’t expect to start as well as I did as the right side of the grid was wet. I thought I’d be down in fourth or fifth but when they matter I seem to be able to pull them out of the bag. When the rain came down, it was the hardest thing. I had a huge moment at Copse – as soon as I hit the brakes, I slid on. The worst place to be is the lead in that situation. Everyone uses you as a judge of the conditions and inevitably it’s the leader that falls off. To take another overall win as well as the Independents’ win is fantastic to get us back on track after that mid-season dip."

Jack Goff said: "The second victory took a little while to come. It’s been over two years now! It’s for all the Eurotech guys – we’ve had a tough time with Jeff (Smith)’s accident and it’s for all our sponsors too. I watched some old footage of Andy (Jordan) and Jason (Plato) back and I saw that at turn one we might get a bit of help with the softer compound tyre. The car was fantastic. It’s usually pretty good but performance over the race distance is sometimes our downfall. It was great there though even with ballast. The first NGTC pole for a Honda and a first win for Jeff as team boss. Brilliant!"

Matt Neal said: "We’ve had long weekend, so that was lovely. It’ll make pack up and the journey home a wee bit shorter. It’s great for everybody involed, but it has been a tough weekend. I was a little bit lucky but a lot went for the hard option tyre earlier on and I took the risk. It was a bit of a struggle for me in race two on that rubber through copse, so I thought it’d be a good hunting ground for me in race three, and so it was. I tried to make headway early on and then things settled and I could try and work out where we were strong and others were weaker. It was the fast stuff where we are generally, and it is there where the Honda Civic Type R goes well. I thought it was going to be hard work, trying to pass Rob (Huff) but he left me a little chink of light and I got through."

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 25 – Silverstone

1 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport 18 laps
2 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.728s
3 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +1.754s
4 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +2.973s
5 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +3.775s
6 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +5.107s
7 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +6.525s
8 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +7.339s
9 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +8.704s
10 Michael EPPS (GBR) TAG Racing +9.588s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 26 – Silverstone

1 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing 22 laps
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +4.910s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +5.528s
4 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +5.703s
5 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +7.749s
6 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +8.438s
7 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +8.680s
8 Rob HUFF (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +9.038s
9 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +9.260s
10 Michael EPPS (GBR) TAG Racing +9.547s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 27 – Silverstone

1 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 25 laps
2 Rob HUFF (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.728s
3 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.997s
4 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.434s
5 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +1.865s
6 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +3.006s
7 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +3.626s
8 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +3.761s
9 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +5.568s
10 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +6.457s

Penalties:

Round 25:
Ant Whorton-Eales was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points for an incident involving Rob Austin

Round 26:
Ash Sutton received a one second time penalty for gaining an advantage in an incident involving Colin Turkington. As this was his third penalty strike of the season he would start Round 27 from the back of the grid.

Brett Smith was fined £500 and received three penalty points for an incident involving Chris Smiley. Eurotech Racing has appealed the decision, which will be heard at Brands Hatch.

Round 27:
Matt Simpson was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points for an incident involving Mat Jackson

Josh Cook was fined £500 and received three penalty points for an incident involving Jason Plato. As this was his fifth penalty strike of the season he will start the opening race at Brands Hatch from the back of the grid.

Captions:
Above: The BTCC's top two drivers Below top: 32 cars tear off the line Below left: Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff won the opener Below right: Colin Turkington gained two points on standings leader Sutton Below second left:Subaru's Sutton heads the pack into Brands Hatch Below second right: Matt Neal sealed race three honours for Honda Below middle large: Thousands watched on from Silverstone's grandstands Below third left: Super-sub Rob Huff took second in the finale Below third right: The sun sets on another exciting weekend Below fourth left: Double delight for Power Maxed Racing as Senna Proctor holds an unassailable lead in the overall Jack Sears Trophy Below fourth right: BTC Norlin Racing's rich vein of form continues – a maiden podium for the outfit, through Dave Newsham, came in race three. Below bottom large: This incident cost Turkington dear

READ MORE

Turkington tops table after podium hat-trick

14/08/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 23751578

Turkington tops table after podium hat-trick
Wins for Plato, Sutton and Ingram at Knockhill

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington moved to the top of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship standings after scoring a podium hat-trick at Knockhill.

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing stars Jason Plato and Ash Sutton claimed a win apiece, whilst Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram came out victorious in the final encounter at the Fife circuit.

Plato converted his 50^th BTCC career pole position into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the opener, as he signalled his return to form in style.

The front four – all rear-wheel drive machines – made an even getaway off the line, meaning Plato led from team-mate Sutton, and the two Team BMWs of Turkington and Rob Collard.

The battle remained tense throughout the 24-lap race with the quartet often covered by just a second. The Subaru duo of Plato and Sutton even made a failed attempt to briefly switch positions, in order to provide the latter with a potentially vital championship point for leading a lap, but when the chequered flag fell it was the elder statesman who had taken a hugely deserved win.

Sutton then secured his fifth win of the 2017 BTCC season as he pipped Plato in race two.

The race commenced in frenetic fashion as a multi-car accident saw no fewer than five cars fired out of the contest. With cars littered in the gravel and across the track, the race was inevitably red flagged and a lengthy stoppage followed.

Plato led away from the restart and the Subaru duo remained inseparable throughout. The slightly lighter machine of Sutton had the edge, however, and he would finally make a move stick on lap 11. Plato kept his young prodigy honest for the remainder of the duel, but Sutton held on to fire himself within two points of the championship summit.

Turkington maintained his position at the top of the standings as he claimed his second podium of the day for Team BMW. Collard finished fourth in the sister Bavarian machine, as he kept up his own championship challenge.

Speedworks Motorsport’s Ingram won the final encounter around the tight 1.3-mile circuit after getting the better of an early battle against Ant Whorton-Eales’ AmDTuning.com with Cobra Exhausts Audi and Rory Butcher’s Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo Ford.

The Toyota man never looked back as he took his third win of the 2017 campaign to reignite his championship challenge – it was also the first win at Knockhill for the Japanese marque since Julian Bailey’s success in 1993.

Reigning champion Gordon Shedden grabbed a hugely popular second place finish, whilst Turkington completed his podium hat-trick with third.

Turkington leads the standings by four points from Sutton, whilst Shedden is a further eight points back. BMW and Team BMW top the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables.

Ingram and his Speedworks Motorsport squad are heading the Independents’ order, whilst Senna Proctor maintained his advantage in the Jack Sears Trophy.

The BTCC returns in two weeks’ time at Rockingham (26/27 August) for Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the series.

Jason Plato said: “We found something in qualifying yesterday which we thought about after scratching our heads and it looked like we had a bit of a differential issue. We had a complete change of that unit last night and the car’s a different machine now. We think we’ve found the gremlin. I’m just so happy to be competitive again. I’m pretty awful to be around when things aren’t going well – this is my life. It’s everything about my life and when there’s stuff you just can’t get a handle on, it’s frustrating. We’ve found the problem now and that was for all you people who said I was too old…”

Ash Sutton said: “Jason (Plato) kept me honest to the very end. It was a great race though and I knew the ballast would bring it back to me later on and work in my favour. He just lost his straight-line speed compared to mine as the time went on. Jason and I get on well and we race hard but we race fairly – we know where we stand with each other. I was more pleased for him getting pole yesterday then I was for myself getting second and I need a wingman don’t I? I really extracted everything from the tyre midway through and pulling that little gap so when they went I had to play the clever game. The battle’s on for sure and it’ll definitely go right to the wire. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Tom Ingram said: “It’s been a long time coming hasn’t it. I had a funny feeling after about five laps, saying to the team ‘when do you think the safety car will be then?’. It never goes that easily does it? Amazingly though, it went perfectly and I got the jump at the restarts. Ant (Whorton-Eales) made a mistake at the chicane which allowed me to get through. My word, the Speedworks guys have given me a great car this weekend. What’s really been annoying is that our struggles haven’t been our fault. If it were mistakes on my part or from the team, then it’d be okay but when it’s not it gets very frustrating. We’ve got a great team and a great car underneath us. I heard people saying it was a fluke at the start of the year and this shows it wasn’t.”

Colin Turkington said: “If I could keep finishing third between now and the end of the season I’d be in pretty good shape but Knockhill has been great. It’s always a circuit I enjoy coming to. I wouldn’t have expected that. It shows you don’t always have to win the races to score the most points. I go home tonight satisfied but also quite aware of the hard work that lies ahead. There’s nobody slow out there, everybody’s fast and those reverse grid races are incredibly tough. I picked my way through and just survived at the end.”

Gordon Shedden said: “I could see the BMWs coming! The safety car definitely helped – it saved my bacon. The car was good but it was just lacking a bit. Tom (Ingram) had mega pace and drove really well so I’ll take second place. Rory (Butcher) was driving well and it’s that first touring car meeting and just realising what goes on in the first few laps. He did well and he was fast, he’ll come out stronger in the next one. For my title challenge, it was good to end the day with a podium and second spot, and it was great to see such a huge crowd come out here at Knockhill. Onwards and upwards to Rockingham.”

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 19 – Knockhill

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 24 laps
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.216s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.902s
4 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +1.580s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +11.188s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +16.492s
7 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +21.946s
8 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +28.348s
9 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +29.167s
10 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +29.991s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 20 – Knockhill

1 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 22 laps
2 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.238s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +3.198s
4 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +5.063s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +6.831s
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +9.401s
7 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +25.803s
8 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +25.954s
9 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +26.361s
10 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +28.889s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 21 – Knockhill

1 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport 27 laps
2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.167s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +1.556s
4 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +4.172s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +4.463s
6 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +5.179s
7 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +5.538s
8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.784s
9 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +6.333s
10 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +7.193s

Captions:
Above: Knockhill provided a unique setting for the latest instalment of the BTCC – Ash Sutton took race two honours Below top: Subaru's Jason Plato converted his 50th pole to a race one win Below left: The Subarus were on fine form... Plato lead home team-mate Ash Sutton line astern Below right: Speedworks Motorsport's early-season pacesetter Tom Ingram returned to winning form Below second left: Colin Turkington leaves Scotland top of the table after three podium finishes Below second right: Home hero Gordon Shedden falls to third in the Drivers' standings Below middle large: Rory Butcher – Shedden's brother-in-law and son of Knockhill Circuit's owner was racy on his BTCC bow Below third left: Fife's Knockhill is a one-off Below third right: Scotsman Aiden Moffat had a difficult weekend Below fourth left: Inverness-based Dave Newsham was an Independent winner for BTC Norlin Racing Below fourth right: The Champagne flows! Below bottom: The BTCC always throws up close racing, sometimes too close!

READ MORE

50th BTCC pole position for Jason Plato

13/08/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 23732761

r

50th BTCC pole position for Jason Plato
Touring car legend heads Subaru one-two in qualifying at Knockhill

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Jason Plato topped a thrilling Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship qualifying session at Knockhill to claim a 50th career pole position in the UK’s premier motor sport series.

Plato – already the most successful driver in the history of the BTCC in terms of race wins – has been experiencing a challenging season so far, but recent signs have suggested that the tin top legend is back on track.

A damp yet drying surface produced a tricky 30-minutes of running for 32 of the country’s best racing drivers, which would ultimately lead to a last lap shootout as track conditions rapidly improved.

The field switched from Dunlop BluResponse wet tyres to the SportMaxx slicks in the final ten minutes, and lap times would tumble right up until the chequered flag fell.

It was Plato who timed his run to perfection as he blasted across the line to steal top spot from Subaru team-mate Ash Sutton in the final seconds.

The one-two qualifying result for Japanese marque Subaru was followed by a three-four finish for Team BMW, as Rob Collard got the better of double BTCC champion Colin Turkington.

Toyota title challenger Tom Ingram is looking to reignite his championship charge after a recent run of difficult results, and the Speedworks Motorsport driver will start tomorrow’s opening contest from fifth on the grid. Ingram will start alongside the third Subaru of James Cole, who himself is enjoying a clear upturn in form and fortunes.

Jack Sears Trophy leader Senna Proctor enjoyed the best qualifying performance of his short BTCC career so far by claiming seventh in the Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra, ahead of an equally impressive performance from BTC Norlin’s Dave Newsham. The striking grey Chevrolets had been running extremely well throughout the day and Newsham even held provisional pole at one point, before eventually having to settle for a credible eighth.

Reigning champion and current standings leader Gordon Shedden took ninth in his Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda, whilst Adam Morgan bounced back from a lacklustre start to the session to claim tenth in the Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes.

Three BTCC races will take place at the Fife circuit tomorrow with all the action being screened live on ITV4 from 11:00.

Jason Plato said: “That was alright wasn’t it? Do you know what, we’ve had a pretty torturous year and it’s nice to have some tricky conditions where you just have to pull it out of the bag. I love those kind of conditions where you’re feeling your way around. Timing is always important in sessions like that and that comes with a bit of experience – putting the slicks on early so we could get them up to temperature. I was the last person to cross the line too which helps.

“We got a one-two which is important for the team and I’m in a really good position to help out Ash [Sutton]. If there’s a win to be had though, I will be driving accordingly. I will have Ash, the team and the championship in mind and I’ll be looking to help where I can.

“I’ve had a right good kicking this year, and it’s just nice to take another step forward towards being competitive again. It’s not just the winning it’s about being competitive and it’s nice to be there.”

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Knockhill

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 52.579s (86.74mph)|
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.089s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.333s
4 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.625s
5 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.694s
6 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.781s
7 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.792s
8 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.897s
9 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.908s
10 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.928s
11 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.058s
12 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +1.060s
13 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.064s
14 Aron TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.157s
15 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.197s
16 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +1.257s
17 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +1.264s
18 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.278s
19 Josh PRICE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.280s
20 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.370s
21 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.378s
22 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +1.477s
23 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +1.681s
24 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +1.705s
25 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +1.915s
26 Will BURNS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.919s
27 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +2.060s
28 Michael EPPS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +2.151s
29 Brett SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +2.356s
30 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +2.591s
31 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +2.860s
32 Stewart LINES (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +4.460s

Captions:
Above: BTCC legend, Subaru's Jason Plato celebrates his 50th pole position Below top: Thumbs up from the double champ Below left: Ash Sutton is the form man – he lines up second Below right: Team BMW's Colin Turkington is searching for a third title with West Surrey Racing – he secured third Below second left: Early-season pacesetter Tom Ingram placed his Toyota fifth as he looks for a return to the podium Below second right:Vauxhall's Senna Proctor produced a best yet in the BTCC with seventh Below third left: Home hero Gordon Shedden had to settle for ninth Below third right: Fife's stunning Knockhill is the backdrop

READ MORE

Dixon smashes Thruxton lap record for first Superbike pole position

06/08/2017, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Automotive Racing Club, Article # 23626626

05/08/17

Dixon smashes Thruxton lap record for first Superbike pole position

Jake Dixon steals the show with blistering Superpole time
Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman make it three marques on the front row
Championship leader Shane Byrne lines up fifth
Disappointment for home-grown riders and teams

A large crowd descended on Thruxton Circuit today (5 August) for a fast and furious day of MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (BSB) action, with glorious sunshine providing perfect weather conditions for record-breaking feats. Smashing the lap record and topping the timesheets in the Datatag Qualifying session was 21-year-old Jake Dixon, who clinched pole position at Britain’s quickest circuit and his first in the BSB top flight.

The fastest riders in the country treated spectators to a phenomenal high-speed show as the modern-day motorcycling gladiators wrung the necks of their two-wheeled machines, providing a visual and acoustic feast at the former aerodrome – flying around the 2.35-mile Andover venue at average speeds in excess of 114mph.

Dixon showed early promise in Free Practice Two, but didn’t reveal his full hand until the last lap in the fight for pole. The Royal Air Force Regular & Reserve Kawasaki rider took a popular first Superbike pole position in front of the enthusiastic Thruxton faithful – and the man from Dover still believes there was more left in the tank.

“It was a good day for us and to take our first pole is amazing,” enthused a delighted Dixon. “With good times in free practice, I knew we could be up there and maybe do it and after Q2 I thought a sub 1m14s was achievable. I made a small mistake in the second sector on my final lap, but overall I am really happy with the pace we produced.

“There are two long races tomorrow and I just want to get my head down and do what we can. I think wins are possible, but I am after more podiums. Tyre management is important here and I have been working on looking after the rear tyre so we are in a good place.”

Behind the young gun was an enthralling fight for the remaining two spots on the front row. Experienced Australian Josh Brookes held the initial benchmark on the timesheets before the Dixon missile came to the fore.

“I thought I had done it,” said Brookes. “I thought it was the perfect lap and it was a lot of fun from inside the helmet, but well done to Jake – he fully deserved it today. Thruxton is really good fun to ride and I am looking forward to the races tomorrow as we have a good set-up for a race distance and I have to go for it.”

Rounding out the front row, just over fourth tenths behind the former BSB champion will be the versatile Peter Hickman. The Smiths Racing BMW rider is currently on a high after multiple podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT, and he duly delivered a silky smooth performance to net third place and make it three different marques on the front row.

“It’s really good to be back at the sharp end, especially here at Thruxton,” said a relieved Hickman. “It’s been a while since my last front row and it’s good for BMW and good for the team. We have struggled in the last few rounds, so I am looking to make amends tomorrow and bag some good results.”

Nestling themselves on the second row are the experienced line-up of Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW Motorrad) championship leader Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team) and Honda Racing star Dan Linfoot – all of whom will be hoping to pounce if the top three falter tomorrow.

Unfortunately, it was largely to be a disappointing day for the local teams. The Bournemouth-based JG Speedfit Kawasaki outfit was in the hunt for front row spoils after the opening free practice sessions, but first to falter was the team’s young prodigy, Luke Mossey.

In the final practice session, the 24-year-old touched the grass crossing the start/finish line, which caused him to lose control and crash. Mossey has suspected broken vertebrae and will miss the remainder of the weekend. Team-mate Leon Haslam was slightly more fortunate after the former World Superbike star parted with his bike at the Chicane on his flying Superpole lap. With no injury and the bike repairable, Haslam will fight back tomorrow from ninth on the grid.

Although from California, John Hopkins calls Portsmouth home and the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati rider fared well in the action-packed qualifying session – putting himself on the third row in eighth place. Wiltshire rider Tommy Bridewell could not match his second place heroics of 12 months ago and will have to muscle his way through the pack aboard his Team WD-40 Kawasaki as he lines up in 16th place for tomorrow’s opening contest.

Beyond the flagship BSB action, the day was packed with captivating racing from an impressive supporting cast. Dickies British Supersport, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 in association with Black Horse, HEL Performance British Motostar, Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup and the ever-enthralling Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecars in association with Molson provided day-long high-speed entertainment for avid supporters.

There is another day of racing action to look forward to tomorrow (Sunday, 6 August), with tickets still available on the gate priced at £33. Grandstand seats and race day paddock passes are extra. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

At 09:30 tomorrow morning, race-goers will have the chance to collect those all-important autographs and snap a selfie with their favourite riders. In addition, visitors will never miss a moment of the high-octane thrills as the big screens at Allard, the Complex and the Chicane will enable spectators to keep tabs on the entire lap.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

Image Captions

Main and row one: Jake Dixon smashes Thruxton record on his way to first pole position
Row two: Former champion Josh Brookes claims second (left) while Peter Hickman returns to the front row with third (right)
Row three: Championship leader Shane Bryne will start from fifth for the opening race (left) while John Hopkins starts eighth
Row four: Local hero Tommy Bridewell has it all to do tomorrow from 16th on the grid

Photo Credit: Ian Hopgood Photography / www.ihphotography.net

Click the images above and below to download hi-res versions

READ MORE

Keeping it in the family

19/10/2016, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Automotive Racing Club, Article # 19826042

18/10/16

Keeping it in the family

Brothers-in-law Dave Bellerby and Kevin Procter to duel it out on home turf
Paige and Drew Bellerby and Joe Cunningham contribute to Croft family affair
Show-stopping finale in sight for motor sport’s most spectacular discipline

This weekend’s MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with ODYSSEY Battery season finale and Procters Coaches MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft Circuit (22/23 October) will witness the unique sight of five family members all racing on the same high-octane bill.

Northallerton-based brothers-in-law Dave Bellerby and Kevin Procter are both contesting the Supercar class for flame-spitting, 600bhp+ monsters, with the former – a newcomer to the headlining category this year – holding the upper hand as they enter the last round of the campaign sitting respectively third and sixth in the standings.

Although Bellerby has been competing since 1997 – winning his very first event, appropriately enough at Croft – 2016 marks the first time the pair have gone wheel-to-wheel, and whilst it is a good-natured rivalry, it is a rivalry nonetheless and neither will be willing to give best on home turf.

“I navigated for Kevin for many years in rallying and got sick of telling him what to do and him never listening to me, so one of my chief motivations in stepping up to Supercar level this season was to show him how it’s done!” he quipped.

“We have a lot of banter in the paddock, but once we are inside the cockpit, we race as hard as anybody else out there and whatever happens this weekend, I’m guaranteed to finish ahead of him in the standings, which is definitely a source of satisfaction!”

“There’s no way I can let Dave beat me at Croft!” countered Procter. “He thinks he’s better than me, so I’ll just have to put him back in his place, or clip his wings as we say here in Yorkshire. In all seriousness, though, it is a friendly rivalry – until we get on the track, at least... What is it they say, all’s fair in love and war?”

Procter has by his own admission endured a tough season blighted by engine dramas, but a brace of victories underscore his raw pace and potential and having won the Grand Prix in the past, he is fired-up to finish a frustrating campaign on a high.

“I’m up for a fight this weekend!” he asserted. “I sponsor the event, so I’m sure there must be a clause in the contract somewhere that says I have to win it – that has to be part of the deal, right? Otherwise, I’ll need to start throwing my toys out of the pram...

“Croft is always a big event for us. I race all over the country and even Europe, but you can’t beat competing at home with the extra support we receive from family and friends. With the championship battle decided, everybody will be focussed on going out there and having some fun – which means the fans are in for a real treat! Plus, after the ‘GP’, we have all winter to fix our cars, so there will be a certain element of throwing caution to the wind and the gloves will definitely be off...”

Bellerby, for his part, is embroiled in a three-way tussle over the championship runner-up laurels, and having had to stick to a strict budget this season, he reveals that his strategy has been to try to ‘out-manoeuvre and outsmart’ his adversaries.

To make it even more of a family affair, his daughters Paige and Drew will similarly be lining up on the grid this weekend – the former chasing the crown at SuperNational level and the latter participating in the ever-entertaining, one-make Swift Sport series – while his nephew Joe Cunningham from Bedale will also swell the British Rallycross ranks.

“Paige and Drew grew up around the sport watching me compete – they barely missed an event and quickly caught the rallycross bug,” Bellerby explained. “I never pushed them into it, but they both decided they wanted to race themselves, which was obviously very rewarding.

“The family element makes it such a buzz, although with the hectic, quick-fire nature of rallycross, we don’t always get to see each other race. Hopefully between us, we can make it another memorable family weekend to sign off from 2016.”

Tickets are available on the gate priced at just £15 per day, with weekend tickets costing £20. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Gates open at 08:30 on both days, with on-track activity beginning at09:00.

For further information on the event, visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/british-rallycross-oct or call 01325 721815.

For more information on Croft’s race meetings and driving experiences, see:www.croftcircuit.co.uk/

For season or individual race meeting accreditation, please e-mail:press@barc.net

Image Captions
Dave Bellerby (above and below bottom left), Kevin Procter (below top left and bottom right) and Paige Bellerby (below top right) will be aiming to keep it in the family at Croft this weekend.

Click the images above and below to download hi-res versions

READ MORE

Shedden quick as a 'Flash' to clinch third BTCC crown

03/10/2016, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 19622286

02/10/16

Shedden quick as a 'Flash' to clinch third BTCC crown

Gordon Shedden joins elite group of drivers with three BTCC titles
‘Flash’ turns the tables to triumph in scintillating BTCC season finale
Matt Neal’s championship bid undone by ill-fortune at Brands Hatch

Gordon Shedden became the first driver in eight years to win back-to-back Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) titles with a superb performance at Brands Hatch GP this weekend (1-2 October) behind the wheel of his Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda Civic Type R.

Shedden entered the weekend trailing championship leader Sam Tordoff by 11 points in the chase for the most coveted trophy in British motor sport. By out-qualifying his chief rival and finishing ahead of the Yorkshireman in all three races, however, the defending champion dramatically turned the tables for a popular success.

From seventh on the starting grid, Shedden carved his way through to finish fifth in race one before pulling off some opportunistic passes as he battled to his ninth podium of the season in race two.

Beginning the finale from fifth – and needing to beat Tordoff, two places ahead of him on the grid, in order to lift the laurels – the Scot produced one of the drives of his career. With the championship poised finely on a knife-edge, he grabbed his flame-spitting Civic Type R by the scruff of its neck and secured the spoils in style, overhauling his BMW adversary en route to third place at the chequered flag to snare the title by two points.

Team-mate Matt Neal should similarly have been in with a shout going into race three having converted 11th on the grid into seventh in the opener, but just after posting the fastest lap in race two, the three-time champion’s engine temporarily cut out and as he attempted to rejoin, contact with another car sent him into a dizzying spin and into the barriers. Suffering from mild concussion, he was unfortunately ruled out of the all-important finale.

That relegated Neal to sixth spot in the Drivers’ standings – albeit just 33 points adrift of newly-crowned champion Shedden – with Honda and Halfords Yuasa Racing placing second in the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables respectively.

Gordon Shedden:
“It’s unbelievable – an incredible feeling. I’ve actually been really relaxed all weekend, but even going into race three, I thought it was going to be very difficult – and it was! It was a shame Matt couldn’t join in – it would have been good to have him up there pushing for the title too, because we’ve both had really strong pace today. The Civic Type R was mint throughout – as it has been all season – and once again, I really stuck my neck on the line and made some bold, heart-in-the-mouth moves that were on the edge more often than not. After Croft in June, it looked like we were down-and-out in the title battle, but we stuck to our guns, kept plugging away and gave it absolutely everything to claw our way back. It just goes to show that every single point really does count in this championship. Winning the BTCC title for the first time felt phenomenal, last year was a real rollercoaster ride and this year it was just a huge release of emotion. I might allow myself a few cups of tea and a Tunnock’s Teacake tonight to celebrate...”

Matt Neal:
“First of all, huge congratulations to ‘Flash’ on his third BTCC crown. He’s driven fantastically all season and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to the ‘three titles’ club – I guess now it’ll be a straight fight to see who can get to four first! Seriously, though, I’m chuffed for him and he thoroughly deserves it – if I couldn’t win it, there’s nobody else I’d rather see lift the trophy. It was obviously a shame about the way my season ended. We did a solid job in qualifying and closed in on the championship lead in race one, but then in race two, I suddenly lost power and as I was attempting to recover, I was pitched into a spin that ended up in the barriers. I got knocked around pretty badly and because I had mild concussion, the decision was taken not to start race three, which clearly wasn’t the way I wanted to end my championship challenge. Still, I’ll just have to come back next year and try to win it again myself!”

Final Drivers’ Standings

1. Gordon Shedden 308 points
2. Sam Tordoff 306 points
3. Mat Jackson 292 points
4. Colin Turkington 289 points
5. Rob Collard 278 points
6. Matt Neal 275 points

Final Manufacturers’ Standings

1. West Surrey Racing 790 points
2. Honda / Team Dynamics 737 points
3. Subaru / Team BMR 722 points
4. MG / Triple Eight 571 points

Final Teams’ Standings

1. Team JCT600 with GardX 574 points
2. Halfords Yuasa Racing 557 points
3. Motorbase Performance 538 points
4. Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 531 points
5. MG Racing RCIB Insurance 332 points
6. WIX Racing 234 points

Click on the images above and below to download high-res versions

Honda Racing BTCC

READ MORE

Shedden sensationally retains BTCC title

03/10/2016, England, Motorsport - Road Racing, British Touring Car Championship, Article # 19622285

Shedden sensationally retains BTCC title

Deficit overcome as the Scotsman becomes a triple champion

Halfords Yuasa Racing star Gordon Shedden has dramatically defended the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at the conclusion of an action-packed day of racing at Brands Hatch.

The Scotsman needed to overcome a two point deficit to standings leader Sam Tordoff heading into the final race of the season, and the now triple champion made the all-important move by his rival on lap seven.

The duo were tussling over third place with Mat Jackson and Aiden Moffat already up the road, but it was all eyes of the title fight. The huge 45,000-strong crowd held its collective breath as Shedden hauled his Honda Civic Type R down the inside of Tordoff’s Team JCT600 with GardX machine on the run down to Clearways, before completing the move on the exit of Clark Curve.

Shedden fended off further attacks and even a late safety car period to maintain third position, superbly securing the title in the process. The Honda man had been fighting back throughout the year, following a challenging start to his title defence, and the 37-year-old finally returned the championship summit as the chequered flag fell on the last race of the season. Shedden’s success was all the more impressive as he became the first driver to win back-to-back titles since Fabrizio Giovanardi in 2007 and 2008.

Mat Jackson took a brilliant win for Motorbase Performance in the final contest, ahead of a stunning standout drive to second spot from Laser Tools Racing’s Aiden Moffat, whilst Adam Morgan’s Mercedes eventually finished ahead of the unfortunate Tordoff.

The day's earlier races at the legendary Kent circuit had been won by Silverline Subaru BMR Racing’s Colin Turkington, with Rob Austin and Josh Cook scoring impressive podium positions in the opener. Plato and Shedden followed the Ulsterman home in the second bout.

Despite Tordoff narrowly missing out on the Drivers’ crown, West Surrey Racing secured the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ championship for BMW while Team JCT600 with GardX won the Teams’ titles.

Andrew Jordan took the Independents Drivers’ trophy and Motorbase Performance won Independents Teams’ honours.

After a season long battle with Michael Epps, the Jack Sears Trophy eventually went to Ashley Sutton, with the MG Racing RCIB Insurance driver starring throughout his maiden BTCC campaign.

When the dust settled on an unforgettable occasion, it was Shedden celebrating winning the most coveted prize in British motor sport for the third time in his career, pipping Tordoff by just two points.

Jackson claimed third overall ahead of Turkington, whilst Collard and Matt Neal rounded out the standings top six. Triple champion Neal was forced to miss the final race of the season after a heavy accident in the second encounter left him suffering with slight concussion.

Today’s action brought down the curtain on another record breaking season in the BTCC, which included 12 different race winners for the first time ever and an unprecedented eight title contenders going into the final weekend of the season.

The calendar for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is already set, again comprising of 30 races across ten events at nine venues around the UK. The season will commence at Brands Hatch in April and conclude on the iconic Grand Prix circuit at the same venue in October.

Gordon Shedden said: “It’s unbelievable – an incredible feeling. I’ve felt really relaxed all weekend, but even going into race three, I thought it was going to be really difficult – and it was! In terms of entertainment, the BTCC has once again delivered in spades as the title battle went all the way down to the last race – and what a storming race it was! It was a shame Matt (Neal) couldn’t join in – it would have been good to have him up there pushing for the title too, because he has had really good pace today.

"All year, I’ve really stuck my neck on the line and made some bold, heart-in-the-mouth moves that were on the edge more often than not. After Croft back in June, it looked like we were down-and-out, but we stuck to our guns, kept plugging away and gave it absolutely everything to claw our way back. It just goes to show that every single point really does count in this championship.

"Winning the championship for the first time felt phenomenal, last year was a real rollercoaster ride and this year it was just a huge release of emotion. I might allow myself a few cups of tea and a Tunnock’s Teacake to celebrate tonight…

"Sam (Tordoff) has driven well all year. I’ve enjoyed clean racing all season, and even in that last race he was very fair. His time will come – and it won’t be far away.”

Sam Tordoff said: “It was obviously a shame not to win the title after leading for so long, but we gave it our all and didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t think we had a bad day today at all – we scored three strong results, but Gordon had a better one and ultimately the best man won. Still, looking at the season overall, we’ve stepped up to the next level and firmly established ourselves as championship contenders. I’m incredibly proud of myself, of the job done by everyone at WSR and the support we’ve had from BMW, JCT600 and GardX all season. We’ve ended the season as constructors’ and teams’ champions and honestly I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Andrew Jordan said: “It’s nice to win a BTCC title again, even if it’s not the overall one, which was obviously what we were aiming for. After what happened in race one, it ended up pretty tight points-wise in the final Independents’ battle, and I’m sure I’ll feel a little bit sore in the morning! The guys did a great job to get the car fixed in time for race two, which was probably one of the best drives I’ve had as we came through the pack – and then it was all about securing the crown in race three. With a season in the Focus under my belt now, we have a very solid foundation to build upon in 2017. I’m very proud to have given Motorbase its first title in my first year with the team – but next year, we’ll definitely be aiming for the big one!”

Ashley Sutton said: “It’s been an absolutely unreal season, and I honestly can’t thank MG, RCIB Insurance and Triple Eight enough – without them, none of this would have been possible. My goal back at the start of the year was to win the Jack Sears Trophy, and with Jack’s sad passing, it now means even more. It’s just a shame he couldn’t be here today to present it to me – I’m actually feeling a bit emotional about it all. I’ve loved every minute of my first BTCC season.”

Alan Gow, Series Director, said: “It’s been a fantastic year and to go down to the final race once again is incredible. Both Sam Tordoff and Gordon Shedden have driven superbly throughout the season, but someone has to win it, and my congratulations go to Gordon and all the other winners. The format we have in the BTCC works and to have 12 different race winners and this exciting season climax tells you everything you need to know about the championship. We never rest on our laurels and the plan is always to come back bigger and better next season.”

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 28 – Brands Hatch GP:

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 25m56.267s (90.06 mph)
2 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +4.570s
3 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +5.314s
4 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +5.903s
5 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +10.750s
6 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +11.130s
7 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +11.620s
8 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +17.894s
9 Ash SUTTON (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +18.077s
10 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +19.564s

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 29 – Brands Hatch GP:

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 28m52.932s (85.93 mph)
2 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.128s
3 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.535s
4 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.827s
5 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +2.431s
6 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +2.931s
7 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +3.046s
8 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +3.336s
9 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +3.626s
10 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +3.963s

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 30 – Brands Hatch GP:

1 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance 30m42.447s (85.58 mph)
2 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.016s
3 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.454s
4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +1.660s
5 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +2.600s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +2.734s
7 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +3.046s
8 Jake HILL (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +4.093s
9 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +4.188s
10 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +5.937s

[ENDS]

Above: Honda's Gordon Shedden retained the BTCC title, no mean feat.
Below top: The move that sealed it. Shedden passes Sam Tordoff in the season closing race
Below left: BMW's Sam Tordoff will come again after an impressive 2016 campaign
Below right: Colin Turkington's double race wins were the star turns on the day
Below second left: Mat Jackson took third in the Drivers' standings with his 30th BTCC win.
Below second right: Record 45,000 crowds descended on Kent's Brands Hatch circuit to watch a thrilling finale
Bottom mid main: WSR/BMW were victorious in the overall Manufacturers' and Teams' Championships
Below mid left: Andrew Jordan notched his third Independents Drivers' title
Below mid right: Motorbase Performance sealed the Independents Teams' Championship
Below mid second left: Aiden Moffat brought his Mercedes home an impressive second in the final encounter
Below mid second right: Ash Sutton and Matt Neal came to blows in race two, the latter suffering a minor concussion, unfortunately removing him from the title battle
Bottom left: Rob Austin continued a strong vein of form to end the season with another podium
Bottom right: The sun sets on what was a truly special 2016 BTCC campaign