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British Touring Car Championship
Donington Park - Race 1 - 17/4/11

By MJP Media | 17 April 2011

Honda dominate the first race at Donington Park whilst Plato suffers puncture.

A sun drenched Donington Park awaited the drivers on the grid for round 4 of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. After a hectic qualifying it was Matt Neal on pole with team mate Gordon Shedden second and the Vectras of James Nash and Andrew Jordan 3rd and 4th.

Away from the line the top four soon opened a gap on the main field with James Nash taking Matt Neal for the lead on the first corner. Neal soon retook the lead, but the big mover was Jason Plato finding some real pace and heading up through the field. Andrew Jordan then made a move and fought his way up to second where he couldn't make a dent in Matt Neal's lead. The field spread out without major incident until lap 11 when drama struck. Plato, who had been scything through the field, suffered a front left tyre failure, forcing a slow lap and a lengthy pit stop which left him a lap down.

The top 5 continued to extend their lead and at the flag they were some 6 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. So it was first blood to Matt Neal with Andrew Jordan in second and Gordon Shedden third. A great result for the two Hondas and in doing so Matt Neal now takes the lead in the drivers championship.

Gordon Shedden was subsequently disqualified for a technical irregularity and will start the second race from the back of the grid.

 

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