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British Touring Car Championship
Donington Park - Race 1 Report - 15/4/12

By MJP Media | 15 April 2012

Mat Jackson wins the first race of the day from Donington Park ahead of Honda Yuasa Racing Team duo Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal.

Rob Collard took an early lead but dropped back later in the race
Rob Collard took an early lead but dropped back later in the race

Following his success in the qualifying session on Saturday when he gained his first pole position for MG KX Momentum Racing, Jason Plato started the first race of the day from Donington Park from the front of the grid but was quickly passed by the fast-starting eBay Motors BMW 320si of Rob Collard who came from the 3rd row of the grid to take the lead into the first corner ahead of Plato and Matt Jackson.

Collard held the lead for several laps before a number of the leading cars ran wide on lap 5. As the drivers sorted themselves out, it was Mat Jackson in the Redstone Racing Ford Focus who made the most of the situation, taking the lead ahead the Honda Yuasa Racing Civics of Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal. As the race progressed, Shedden put pressure on Jackson however the Redstone Racing driver was not giving way.

Matt Neal secured 3rd place for the Honda Yuasa Racing Team
Matt Neal secured 3rd place for the Honda Yuasa Racing Team

Pole-sitter Jason Plato was now down in 4th place and challenging Neal for the last podium position however Neal was determined to prevent his rival gaining the position. Rob Collard, who had led the race in the opening laps gradually slipped further down the field.

At the chequered flag it was victory for Mat Jackson with Gordon Shedden 2nd and Matt Neal 3rd. Jason Plato ended the race in 4th ahead of the eBay Motors BMW 320si of Tom Onslow-Cole in 5th and Andrew Jordan 6th in the Pirtek Racing Honda Civic.

Mat Jackson being chased by Gordon Shedden for the lead
Mat Jackson being chased by Gordon Shedden for the lead

Mat Jackson will start the second race in pole position and with Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal and Jason Plato behind him on the grid, it's sure to be an exciting race.

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