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British Touring Car Championship
Thruxton - Race 1 Report - 29/4/12

By MJP Media | 29 April 2012

Mat Jackson takes victory in the first race at a rain-soaked Thruxton as others suffer in the adverse conditions. Gordon Shedden recovers from 18th on the grid to finish 6th after a sensational drive.

Mat Jackson triumphed in the wet conditions to take the race win
Mat Jackson triumphed in the wet conditions to take the race win

Following the rain which dominated the practice and qualifying session, Thruxton circuit woke to heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday morning for the 3rd meeting of the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

A first lap incident saw the Pirtek Racing Honda Civic of pole-sitter Andrew Jordan and the MG KX Momentum Racing MG6 of Jason Plato slide off the track in the treacherous conditions. Meanwhile, Mat Jackson kept out of trouble to take the lead from 4th on the grid by the end of the first lap.

Dave Newsham continues his run of success with 2nd place in race 1
Dave Newsham continues his run of success with 2nd place in race 1

Behind the Redstone Racing Ford Focus of Jackson, Dave Newsham in the Team ES Racing.com Vauxhall Vectra had moved up to 2nd from 5th on the grid ahead of Frank Wrathall's Dynojet Toyota Avensis which had been held up in the battle between Andrew Jordan and Jason Plato.

As the race continued, Jason Plato recovered from his earlier excursion off the track to pass the eBay Motors BMW 320si of Rob Collard to take 3rd place. Jackson, Newsham and Plato maintained their positions at the front of the field until Liam Griffin ran wide in his Redstone Racing Ford Focus and hit the barrier at turn two which resulted in the Safety Car being deployed.

Jason Plato being chased by Rob Collard
Jason Plato being chased by Rob Collard

Unfortunately, due to the damage sustained following Griffin's crash, the race was unable to restart and was terminated early resulting in victory for Mat Jackson with Dave Newsham 2nd and Jason Plato 3rd. Rob Collard finished 4th ahead of Frank Wrathall in 5th. Gordon Shedden did well to finish 6th, having started the race a lowly 18th on the grid following problems in qualifying yesterday.

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