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Rob
13th October 2013, 16:38
Plato wins wet race one
Jason Plato secured his seventh race win of the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season with an exemplary drive in treacherous conditions at Brands Hatch. Andrew Jordan maintained his championship lead with fifth place, whilst Colin Turkington's title dreams ended in tatters after a first lap crash.

Plato led from start to finish and coped comfortably with an early safety car period to streak away from his rivals and take a dominant win - the 81st of his career. The MG's main challenger turned out to be Gordon Shedden who had blasted from fourth on the grid to second on the opening lap.

Those early moments also brought an end to Turkington's championship challenge following a disastrous incident for the three eBay Motors cars. With spray flying everywhere as the huge grid roared down Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, Turkington and his team-mate Rob Collard had a coming together. The Ulsterman's BMW spun around and was collected by the third team car of Nick Foster. The 2009 champion was out of the race and out of the championship, with Collard being the only BMW able to continue.

The safety car was called for on lap three after Rob Austin fired his Audi A4 into the tyre barrier at Paddock Hill Bend and there was more drama for the team shortly after the restart when the Toyota of Ollie Jackson tipped the impressive Jake Hill into a spin.

With Plato and Shedden extending a gap at the front of the field, young Sam Tordoff settled into third while series leader Jordan fended off the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus of Tom Onslow-Cole. Pirtek Racing's Jordan endured a heart in mouth moment on lap seven when he slid wide through Graham Hill Bend. The 24-year-old managed to save the car but not before Onslow-Cole had got a run alongside his Honda Civic down Cooper Straight, before completing a passing move on the entry to Surtees. Importantly for the championship, Jordan regathered his composure and settled behind the Focus to bring the car home for some vital points.

Jordan's fifth place was in some doubt late on, however, as Honda Yuasa Racing's Matt Neal had surged through the field from 16th to sixth by mid-distance. It was a brave and impressive drive from Neal, particularly following his recent broken finger and the huge accident he endured during qualifying yesterday. The three-time champ made a series of splendid moves during the race but try as he may, he was unable to get on terms with Jordan before the finish.

Collard recovered from his early moment to take seventh ahead of Adam Morgan's Ciceley Racing Toyota. Those two had to fight off the flying Focuses on Mat Jackson and Aron Smith, the latter having blitzed through the field after his car was repaired following his free practice roll yesterday.

A special mention too for AmDTuning.com team boss and driver Shaun Hollamby, who claimed a win in the Jack Sears Trophy and his first ever championship point in the process.

Jordan has won the Independents' drivers championship with his fifth place finish and now holds a 29-point lead over Shedden in the overall standings. Neal and Plato both remain in contention with two races remaining this afternoon.

2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch GP – Race one

1 Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing) 17 Laps
2 Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing) +5.209
3 Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing) +10.151
4 Tom Onslow-Cole (Airwaves Racing) +12.603
5 Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing) +12.918
6 Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing) +13.495
7 Robert Collard (eBay Motors) +21.137
8 Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing) +21.561
9 Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing) +22.256
10 Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing) +22.738
11 Dave Newsham (Speedworks Motorsport) +26.770
12 Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing) +26.897
13 Daniel Welch (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp) +44.003
14 Jake Hill (Exocet Racing) +44.589
15 Shaun Hollamby (AmDTuning.com) +1:01.211
16 Tom Barley (RCIB Insurance Racing) +1:01.926
17 Aiden Moffat (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing) +1:14.092
18 Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven/Houseman Racing) +1:22.301
19 Liam Griffin (Addison Lee Motorbase) +1:25.957

Not Classified
- Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport) +12 Laps
- Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart) +12 Laps
- Rob Austin (WIX Racing) +15 Laps
- Colin Turkington (eBay Motors) +17 Laps
- Frank Wrathall (Dynojet) +17 Laps
- Nick Foster (eBay Motors) +17 Laps

Rob
13th October 2013, 16:38
Jordan drama
Championship leader Andrew Jordan has promised to give it everything in this afternoon’s grand finale after his first non-finish of the year threw the title race wide open with one round of the season remaining.

With a 29-point advantage going into the second of today’s three races, Jordan tentatively raced behind a number of battles in the early stages. When Aron Smith’s Ford Focus made contact with eBay Motors’ Rob Collard, Jordan jinked left in an attempt to avoid the spinning BMW. Little did he know that fellow title contender Matt Neal was close behind and the pair made inevitable contact.

Jordan’s left rear wheel broke immediately on impact and he spun again while trying to recover. Critically, however, the 24-year-old hobbled his Honda Civic back to the pits, giving his Pirtek Racing squad the earliest opportunity to begin repairing the car.

Having scored points in every race so far this season, the disappointment means Jordan will have to surge from the back of the grid in race three, potentially needing to finish eighth to win the championship (depending on the results of Plato and Shedden).

“That wasn't really in the plan,” said a distraught Jordan. “I'm bitterly disappointed but it's one of those things – it's happened now and I need to regroup. It's not over – the team will get the car out and it will be fast. It's elbows out – the spray will make it difficult – I've been driving tentatively but the pressure is on, I have to drive at the maximum now.”

Tune into ITV4 now to enjoy the thrilling climax to the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with the final encounter scheduled to take place at 5pm.

Rob
13th October 2013, 16:38
Plato double throws title open
MG KX Momentum Racing's Jason Plato claimed a sensational double victory in a quite extraordinary second Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch.

The other title contenders experienced incredible moments during the contest with Gordon Shedden spinning down the order on the first lap, whilst Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan made contact on the exit of Surtees on lap two. Jordan endured his first non-finish of the season due to the incident, whilst Neal's race went up in flames when his Honda Civic expired on the final lap.

Shedden recovered to finish seventh meaning there are now just three drivers in contention to win the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with Plato trailing Jordan by 15 points and Shedden a further five points adrift. It means Jordan will have to finish eighth or higher in order to be sure of claiming the title, but he'll have to do so from the back of the grid, whilst Shedden starts on pole with Plato in seventh.

"We've got to keep doing the best we can," said Plato. "Hats off to everyone in the team, we've had our ups and downs this year but since the start of Silverstone the car has been really quick. I got the radio call that Jordan was out, and made the team repeat it just to be sure! We've had a great start and a great middle to today, let's see if we can make it a great end! I've been here before, Andy hasn't and he'll be twitchy. We're confident, the car feels great while the Hondas look to be struggling. It's still Andrew's to lose but let's see if we can't nick it!"

The race got off to a breathtaking start when Shedden spun halfway down Paddock Hill on the opening lap and screeched wildly across the track in front of the chasing pack. The Scotsman produced driving of the highest calibre to save the car, as did the drivers of the gaggle of cars behind him who took evasive action.

Plato pulled clear ahead of team-mate Tordoff whilst a titanic tussle kicked off behind. Airwaves Racing's Mat Jackson and Ciceley Racing's Adam Morgan went three abreast with Jordan through Surtees on the opening lap but drama struck at the same bend one tour later.

After Jordan had tentatively given best to Jackson and Morgan, he then became embroiled in four-way scrap behind. The Ford Focus of Aron Smith moved down the inside of Rob Collard's BMW at Surtees and the two cars touched, spinning the eBay Motors machine in the middle of the circuit. Jordan dived left to avoid him, leaving Neal with nowhere to go, and the two Hondas made unfortunate contact. The impact immediately broke Jordan's left rear wheel while Neal pitted with a puncture.

After the dust had settled Airwaves Racing held second, third and fourth behind the MG duo, but there would be several changes of position before the finish. The Toyota of Dave Newsham made light work of Smith and Onslow-Cole to take fourth, the latter fading dramatically in the closing stages. Smith held on for fifth ahead of the hugely impressive Jack Goff.

The RCIB Insurance Racing driver had previously carved his way through the order during Shedden's wild opening lap spin and then made eye catching moves on his way to his best ever BTCC finish of sixth. Shedden himself recovered brilliantly to finish seventh although he lost out to Goff despite having passed the Vauxhall Insignia at one stage. After making the manoeuvre Shedden then ran wide at Graham Hill Bend, allowing Goff to nip back by.

Morgan, Onslow-Cole and the Dynojet Toyota of Frank Wrathall rounded out the top ten, whilst Lea Wood won the Jack Sears Trophy.

Neal's championship challenge ended on the final lap when his Civic caught fire before bursting into flames after the three-time champion had managed to get out of the car.

The climax to this incredible BTCC season commences with round 30 of the championship at 5pm. A series of permutations could see the title going the way of Jordan, Plato or Shedden, so only time will tell who will become 2013 champion.

2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch GP – Race two

1 Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing) 15 Laps
2 Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing) +0.906
3 Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing) +5.691
4 Dave Newsham (Speedworks Toyota) +8.062
5 Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing) +9.734
6 Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing) +16.855
7 Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing) +18.797
8 Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing) +21.534
9 Tom Onslow-Cole (Airwaves Racing) +24.383
10 Frank Wrathall (Dynojet) +25.819
11 Jake Hill (Exocet Racing) +26.934
12 Colin Turkington (eBay Motors) +31.916
13 Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport) +32.805
14 Robert Collard (eBay Motors) +42.518
15 Aiden Moffat (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing) +50.562
16 Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven/Houseman Racing) +50.625
17 Shaun Hollamby (AmDTuning.com) 1:11.535
18 Nick Foster (eBay Motorsport) +1 Lap

Not Classified
- Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing) +1 Lap
- Daniel Welch (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp) +3 Laps
- Rob Austin (WIX Racing) +6 Laps
- Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart) +10 Laps
- Tom Barley (RCIB Insurance Racing) +11 Laps
- Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing) +14 Laps
- Liam Griffin (Addison Lee Motorbase) +14 Laps

Rob
13th October 2013, 16:39
Been supporter of Andy Jordan for few years. So so want this for him, great final race atmo, can feel myself filling up with tears already.

COME ON ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sianellen
13th October 2013, 16:59
Been supporter of Andy Jordan for few years. So so want this for him, great final race atmo, can feel myself filling up with tears already.

COME ON ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really thrilled that he won the championship!! :-D So happy for him!!

Greig
13th October 2013, 17:07
Well done Andy, great title win and great to see such emotions in motorsport :-)

Rob
13th October 2013, 18:56
Jordan crowned champion
Andrew Jordan has won the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship having surged through the field to take ninth in a final race that was won by Gordon Shedden.

The lights-to-flag victory for Scotsman Shedden was enough for him to clinch second in the standings ahead of Jason Plato, but the headlines belong to 24-year-old Jordan who fought off the challenge of four former champions over the final weekend of the season to claim his maiden BTCC title.

"It's surreal, I just can't put it into words," said Jordan immediately after the race. "I have the best team in the paddock!"

After an incredible second race in the day that saw Jordan face his first non-finish of the season, the championship was set to go down to the wire with double winner Plato and pole-sitter Shedden still in with a chance of stealing the crown away from the Pirtek Racing driver.

Shedden did his job leading from start-to-finish, although under intense pressure throughout from the impressive Jack Goff, but the Honda Yuasa Racing driver needed Jordan to face further heartache in order to take the title.

Starting from the back of the grid, Jordan picked off one car after another in the opening laps and was up to 11th just five tours in. Plato needed to haul his MG into the podium positions to keep his hopes alive but the double champion began to fade after mid-distance.

Shedden was fending off Goff while Jordan made his way up to ninth, and his team quickly told him over the radio that the position would be enough to win the title. Plato had no answer, dropping behind Jordan late on, and although Shedden stormed to another stellar victory it was Jordan that had the fans on their feet at the finish.

Goff rounded off his best day in the BTCC with second ahead of Airwaves Racing's Mat Jackson. Colin Turkington bounced back from his own championship disappointment to claim fourth ahead of Aron Smith's Ford Focus. Two Toyotas in the shape of Dave Newsham and Adam Morgan followed, with the BMW of Rob Collard taking eighth ahead of today's stars Jordan and Plato.

Jordan added the HiQ Independents' Drivers title to the overall championship and his Pirtek Racing squad won the Independents' Teams trophy. There was some consolation for Honda Yuasa Racing, who won the Manufacturers' and overall Teams' titles.

The likeable Lea Wood also raised the roof as he won the inaugural Jack Sears Trophy, which was presented to the Hereford-driver by Sears himself - the first ever BTCC champion back in 1958.

2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch GP – Race three

1 Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing) 15 Laps
2 Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing) +2.112
3 Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing) +2.279
4 Colin Turkington (eBay Motors) +3.143
5 Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing) +11.209
6 Dave Newsham (Speedworks Motorsport) +12.775
7 Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing) +14.324
8 Robert Collard (eBay Motors) +15.360
9 Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing) +17.200
10 Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing) +19.060
11 Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport) +20.284
12 Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing) +20.460
13 Tom Onslow-Cole (Airwaves Racing) +21.551
14 Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing) +22.261
15 Jake Hill (Exocet Racing) +23.211
16 Nick Foster (eBay Motors) +26.352
17 Aiden Moffat (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing) +29.939
18 Rob Austin (WIX Racing) +37.827
19 Daniel Welch (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp) +42.370
20 Tom Barley (RCIB Insurance Racing) +47.383
21 Frank Wrathall (Dynojet) +53.637
22 Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven/Houseman Racing) +59.792
23 Shaun Hollamby (AmDTuning.com) +1:06.065

Not Classified
- Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart) +11 Laps
- Liam Griffin (Addison Lee Motorbase) +13 Laps