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British Touring Car Championship
Brands Hatch - Race 2 - 3/4/11

By MJP Media | 3 April 2011

Another win for Jason Plato at Brands Hatch means a dream start to his BTCC title defence.

Race 2 saw race one winner Jason Plato on pole but this time with title hopeful Matt Neal starting from the back of the grid after his first race retirement. Following a poor start by Tom Chilton, Mat Jackson in the Ford Focus steamed through to second and Alex MacDowall to third. MacDowall's joy was short lived however as he was given a drive through penalty for jumping the start.

Meanwhile, the safety car was deployed again as Tom Boardman in the Seat ploughed into Tom Onslow-Cole's Golf leaving both vehicles stranded. A fantastic battle developed after the safety car period with Jason Plato leading Mat Jackson and Gordon Shedden by less than half a second with James Nash in the Vectra a close fourth.

By the halfway point these four cars were in a class of their own and the interest further back was Matt Neal's charge in the Honda elevating him to 8th place and securing the fastest lap so far. In the closing stages the top three stretched their lead as they started to lap the back-markers and Matt Neal passed Tom Chilton to move up to 7th.

With three laps to go, Gordon Shedden took 2nd place from Mat Jackson, but the move allowed James Nash to close up to the pair. Paul O'Neill was having a good run in 5th, but it was Plato's class and the Chevrolet's balance that proved decisive as Plato took another race win ahead of Gordon Shedden and Mat Jackson.

 

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