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British Touring Car Championship
Oulton Park - Race 3 Report - 9/6/13

By MJP Media | 9 June 2013

Andrew Jordan takes victory in the 3rd race from Oulton Park as Pirtek Racing miss out on a 1-2 finish and Jason Plato suffers a fire in his MG6.

Andrew Jordan on the podium with Colin Turkington and Adam Morgan

Following his two earlier victories, championship leader Jason Plato started the last race of the day from Oulton Park from 10th on the grid thanks to the reverse grid draw. Immediately ahead of Plato on the grid were a number of very quick and competent drivers including reigning BTCC champion Gordon Shedden, former BTCC champions Colin Turkington and Matt Neal plus reigning Independent's Trophy champion Andrew Jordan together with the likes of Dave Newsham, Adam Morgan, Rob Austin, Daniel Welch and pole-sitter Jeff Smith further up the grid.

Rob Austin got an excellent start off the line in his WIX Racing Audi A4 to take the lead into the first corner however Daniel Welch wasn't so fortunate, slipping down from 1st to 4th before regaining 3rd from Adam Morgan. Austin held on to the lead but came under intense pressure from Jeff Smith's Pirtek Racing Honda Civic. Behind the leaders, the battle for 3rd place was intensifying between Adam Morgan and Daniel Welch.

Rob Austin led the first half of the race for WIX Racing

Jason Plato's chances of a 3rd victory from the day were dashed when his MG KX Momentum Racing MG6 caught fire on lap 4, causing him to retire. Gordon Shedden's luck also ran out when he picked up a puncture whilst battling with Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal, requiring him to pit on lap 5.

On lap 7, a tap from Jeff Smith caused race leader Rob Austin to loose the lead when he was passed by Smith and Adam Morgan. On lap 8, Austin ran wide and lost further places to Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington, leaving him in 5th place and in the sights of Matt Neal who passed him on lap 9. With Smith now leading the race, team-mate Andrew Jordan passed Adam Morgan for 2nd place and created the prospect of a Pirtek Racing 1-2 finish. Behind Smith and Jordan, Adam Morgan was defending 3rd place from Colin Turkington in the eBay Motors BMW 125i M Sport.

Andrew Jordan in his Pirtek Racing Honda Civic

Pirtek Racing's hopes for the dream 1-2 finish were shattered on lap 12 when Jeff Smith lost control a spun off the track, rejoining in 5th place. To add insult to injury, another 'off' on the next lap caused him to spin off the track and rejoin a lap down. At the chequered flag it was victory for Andrew Jordan with Colin Turkington 2nd and Adam Morgan a well deserved 3rd for Ciceley Racing. Matt Neal finished 4th ahead of Rob Austin 5th and Will Bratt 6th.

After a thrilling day of racing action, Matt Neal leaves Oulton Park having regained the lead in the championship he lost to Jason Plato. Andrew Jordan is just 4 points behind Neal with Plato only 3 points behind Jordan. The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship now heads to Croft in North Yorkshire for the rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2013 season on June 22nd and 23rd.

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