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British Touring Car Championship
Brands Hatch (GP) - Race 1 Report - 11/10/15

By MJP Media | 11 October 2015

Mat Jackson takes the first victory of the day at Brands Hatch for Motorbase Performance. Jason Plato keeps his championship chances alive by finishing ahead of Gordon Shedden.

Mat Jackson celebrates his win in the first BTCC race of the day

After 27 races at 9 circuits around the county, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will be decided today with the final 3 races of the 2015 season at the fabulous Brands Hatch GP circuit. Gordon Shedden arrives at the iconic circuit leading the Drivers' Championship by 23 points over his nearest rival, Jason Plato with Colin Turkington just 9 points further behind. With 66 points available from the 3 BTCC races today, Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan could still lift the coveted trophy however it is likely to be a three way challenge between Shedden, Plato and Turkington.

Following yesterday's qualifying session, Motorbase Performance's Mat Jackson started the first race of the day from pole position alongside the Team BMR RCIB Insurance Volkswagen CC of Aron Smith. Row two was taken by Adam Morgan in the WIX Racing Mercedes Benz A-Class and Gordon Shedden in his Honda Yuasa Racing Civic Type R. Behind Shedden on row three were fellow championship contenders Colin Turkington and Jason Plato with Tom Ingram and Matt Neal on row 4. Andy Priaulx and Josh Cook completed the top 10 starters.

Mat Jackson ahead of Aron Smith and Adam Morgan

With the grid for the second race being determined by the fastest lap in race one, MG 888 Racing drivers Andrew Jordan and Jack Goff together with Team BMR RCIB Insurance's Alain Menu elected to start the race from the pit lane in an attempt to get some clear track on which to post a fast lap time. All the front runners got a good start with Jason Plato passing Gordon Shedden on the first lap to take 5th place behind his team-mate Colin Turkington. Meanwhile, Alex Martin smashed the front of his Dextra Racing Ford Focus, bringing out the Safety Car. Incredibly, Martin managed to get the car back to the pits under its own power and racing continued after one Safety Car lap.

Jason Plato didn't get a good getaway on the restart however he managed to keep ahead of championship leader Gordon Shedden. Racing continued for a few more laps with the leaders holding their positions when Stewart Lines buried his Houseman Racing Toyota Avensis in the barriers at Surtees requiring another period under the Safety Car which allowed the field to bunch up once again. After several laps, racing resumed with Gordon Shedden looking for a way past Jason Plato, however Plato was able to defend his position.

Mat Jackson (centre) on the podium with Aron Smith (right) and Adam Morgan (left)

With the battle for 5th place continuing between Jason Plato and Gordon Shedden, 6th placed Matt Neal was able to protect his Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate from the rest of the field as Mat Jackson once again extended a slender lead over Aron Smith with Adam Morgan and Colin Turkington in pursuit. The race continued without any further incidents with the title contenders not wanting to jeopardise their championship chances by pushing too hard.

The race ended with victory for Mat Jackson with Aron Smith 2nd and Adam Morgan 3rd. Colin Turkington finished 4th with Jason Plato 5th, crucially ahead of Gordon Shedden in 6th. Matt Neal finished 7th with Andy Priaulx 8th, Josh Cook 9th and Rob Collard completing the top 10. Based on the fastest lap times, Mat Jackson will start race two in pole position alongside Aron Smith. Row 2 will see Adam Morgan and Dave Newsham with Tom Ingram and Jack Goff on row 3. Jason Plato will start on row 4 with Gordon Shedden on row 6 giving Plato added momentum in his championship campaign.

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