British Touring Cars at Knockhill

Submitted by Ian C Fyvie

"The boys are back in Town". Yep, the British Touring cars arrived for their 3 race meeting at Scotland's Knockhill circuit (15-16th August). Thankfully for the Scottish fans, Knockhills own Gordon Sheddon has secured a drive in the Cartridge world Seat car, Giving us someone to cheer for.

The worst fear were confirmed when arriving at the circuit to find rain and damp track conditions (7am to 6pm) soaking wet, makes for a miserable day. However by 10am the rain was gone and replaced with high winds, the track soon dried up, and the cars were getting up to top speeds again.

Jason Plato recorded his first HiQ Touring Car Championship victory of the weekend by leading from start to finish at Knockhill this afternoon. Plato on pole for the opening race managed to hold off the strong BMW challenge to head into Knockhill’s first corner in the lead. From there he managed to open up a small gap ahead of second placed Shedden. Although midway through the race a safety car deployment bunched the field together, both Plato and Shedden held onto there positions for the remainder of the race.

Team Garages

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Fabrizio Giovanardi has won the 2nd HiQ Touring Car race at Knockhill. The double Touring Car Champion closes the gap on championship leader Colin Turkington to 13pts. Mat Jackson in his Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti secured 2nd position to accompany his third place finish in the opening race. Colin Turkington came third and still leads the championship going into the third and final HiQ Touring Car Race at 5.00pm this afternoon. Spare a thought for Jason Plato who entered the pits on the green flag lap with technical difficulties, although he later returned to the race he still failed to finish.

Despite leading the race for the opening seven laps, Gordon Shedden had to settle for a ninth place finish. Shedden held onto his lead bravely as his fellow competitors applied pressure. It took an attacking move by Giovanardi at the Real Radio Hairpin to finally get past Shedden whilst forcing the Fife driver onto the gravel. Fellow Scot, Jonathan Adam in his Airwaves BMW 320si managed to finish in seventh place.

Lunch Break

During the break for Lunch, Spectators were entertained by a rescue display by a Sea king Helicopter. The sheer size of the machine is unreal certainly when it hovers on one spot, the engine noise deafening even vibrating the car.

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Racing Silverline’s Mat Jackson completed a tremendous weekend by winning the final race of the BTCC calendar at Knockhill. Jackson who had been consistently good all weekend, finally got his just rewards for a fantastic overall performance. Jackson sealed victory ahead of his Chevrolet team mate Jason Plato who battled from last position on the grid. The Chevrolet’s have shown some real competitiveness this weekend, much like the last round at Snetterton, but this time putting some points on the board. Plato now moves third in the standings and sets up an intriguing finale to the BTCC season.

Colin Turkington, the current championship leader still maintains a 9 point advantage over 2nd place Fabrizio Giovanardi. The HiQ British Touring Car Championship now heads to Silverstone for what should be another interesting weekend of BTCC action.

Both Scots failed to finish the third race, with Shedden going into the tyre barrier on the first corner after puncturing one of his tyres.