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British Touring Car Championship
Oulton Park - Race 1 Report - 10/6/12

By MJP Media | 10 June 2012

Matt Neal wins the first race from Oulton Park as Jason Plato fails to make the start with suspension problems. Gordon Shedden now leads the championship ahead of Matt Neal as Plato drops to 3rd.

Rob Collard leads into the first corner after a fantastic start
Rob Collard leads into the first corner after a fantastic start

Race day at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire started considerably warmer and dryer than yesterday as the sun started to break through the clouds. The drama began before the first race had even started as pole-sitter Jason Plato's MG KX Momentum Racing MG6 was wheeled off the track on his out lap with a suspension problem - a bitter disappointment for the championship leader.

The race started with Matt Neal now effectively on pole however his Honda Yuasa Racing Team Civic was almost immediately passed by the fast-starting eBay Motors BMW 320si of Rob Collard who was then constantly under pressure from Neal. Behind the leaders, Andrew Jordan in the Pirtek Racing Honda Civic was feeling the pressure from Tom Onslow-Cole for 3rd place.

Matt Neal celebrates winning the first race of the day
Matt Neal celebrates winning the first race of the day

Matt Neal passed Rob Collard on lap 4 which put Collard in the sights of Andrew Jordan. The battle between Jordan and Collard was intense as Neal extended his lead. Jordan finally passed Collard on lap 7 to take 2nd place. Behind the front-runners, Tom Onslow-Cole was being chased by Gordon Shedden when Onslow-Cole spun off on lap 9 bringing out the safety car and moving Shedden up to 4th. During the safety car period, Jason Plato joined the race to test his repaired car.

Andrew Jordan puts pressure on Matt Neal
Andrew Jordan puts pressure on Matt Neal

When racing resumed, Matt Neal came under intense pressure from Andrew Jordan, however Neal managed to hold on to the lead to win the first race of the day. Andrew Jordan finished 2nd ahead of Rob Collard in 3rd. Gordon Shedden finished 4th with Mat Jackson 5th and Daniel Welch 6th.

With Jason Plato not scoring any points, Gordon Shedden now leads the championship ahead of Matt Neal as Plato drops to 3rd in the standings.

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