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British Touring Car Championship
Brands Hatch - Race 2 Report - 21/10/12
By MJP Media | 21 October 2012
Gordon Shedden secures the 2012 BTCC Drivers Championship in the second race from Brands Hatch. Aron Smith takes his maiden BTCC victory after a sensational drive in the wet.
A jubilant Gordon Shedden at Brands Hatch
With Gordon Shedden requiring just 4 points from the second race at Brands Hatch, the prospect of the first Scottish BTCC champion since John Cleland in 1995 was looking good. Following his victory in the first race, Shedden's Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate Matt Neal started race two from pole position alongside Andrew Jordan. Jason Plato would have a lot to do, starting in 8th place.
As the rain continued to fall, Andrew Jordan got a bad start whilst Tom Onslow-Cole started well and led into the first corner. Aron Smith also got a good start and passed Matt Neal on lap 1 to take 2nd place behind Onslow-Cole. The Safety Car was deployed whilst marshals cleared the stricken BMW 320si of Rob Collard and the Audi A4 of Will Bratt following an incident involving Shedden's Honda Civic and Adam Morgan's Toyota Avensis.
Gordon Shedden before the start of race 2
When racing restarted, Aron Smith passed Tom Onslow-Cole to take the lead however the Safety Car was immediately deployed again to allow the recovery of Dave Newsham's Vauxhall Vectra. The second restart was without incident and Aron Smith led the way ahead of Tom Onslow-Cole and Matt Neal.
On lap 10, Gordon Shedden took 3rd place from Matt Neal and started to chase down the eBay Motors BMW 320si of Tom Onslow-Cole. Meanwhile, Aron Smith was controlling the race from the front as the battle for 2nd place continued behind. Andy Neate lost control at the Graham Hill bend and took out Adam Morgan who hit the barriers. On the rebound, Morgan hit Aaron Williamson who then tapped Tom Onslow-Cole. Onslow-Cole recovered but lost many places.
Aron Smith celebrates his maiden BTCC victory
At the chequered flag it was a maiden BTCC victory for Aron Smith following a sensational drive by the Redstone Racing driver. Gordon Shedden finished 2nd with team-mate Matt Neal 3rd. Andrew Jordan finished 4th with Jason Plato 5th and Frank Wrathall 6th. The reverse grid system will see Mat Jackson on pole position for the final race of the season alongside Frank Wrathall.
Gordon Shedden now has an unbeatable lead in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and will be crowned 2012 Drivers Champion after the final race of the day. Matt Neal is currently 2nd in the championship but could be overtaken by Jason Plato who is only 2 points behind. Gordon Shedden may have already won the championship, but there is sure to be plenty of exciting racing to enjoy in the last race from Brands Hatch.
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BTCC - Brands Hatch - Race 2 Report - 21/10/12
Gordon Shedden secures the 2012 BTCC Drivers Championship in the second race from Brands Hatch. Aron Smith takes his maiden BTCC victory after a sensational drive in the wet.
BTCC - Brands Hatch - Race 1 Report - 21/10/12
Matt Neal revives his championship title hopes with a dominant win in the first race of day from Brands Hatch. Gordon Shedden extends his championship lead as Plato struggles in the wet conditions.
BTCC - Brands Hatch - Qualifying - 20/10/12
The eBay Motors team continue their run of good form as Tom Onslow-Cole takes pole position for the first race from Brands Hatch tomorrow. Jason Plato and Gordon Shedden will start on the 3rd and 4th row respectively.
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Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal top the time sheets in free practice at Brands Hatch. eBay Motors are delighted to get their three BMWs in the top 6.
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