WINS FOR SHEDDEN & TURKINGTON AT DONINGTON
Gordon Shedden and Colin Turkington shared the victories
in today's three Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
rounds at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire. But
it is Matt Neal, despite an off-form day on one of his favourite
circuits, who continues to lead the BTCC, albeit by a reduced
advantage over Turkington as the championship now heads to
the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk on 13 August.
Team Halfords Honda driver Shedden impressively achieved
back-to-back victories in races one and two before Turkington,
in his Team RAC MG, pounced later in the day to slash the
gap to Neal from 37 points prior to Donington down to just
22. Turkington's victory came after a re-start, following
a multiple pile-up on the grid, two safety car periods and
a rain shower, all of which will have provided exciting viewing
for those watching live national television coverage of the
BTCC on the ITV1 channel.
Reigning champion Neal, who took fourth, fifth and seventh
positions in his Team Halfords Honda, said: "That's one
of the more bizarre days in my touring car career - we've
been quick every time out and the podium was within reach
several times, but it just didn't happen for us today. I was
lucky to get away with a few bumps and I've been off the track,
but somehow survived.
"I'm also fortunate that Colin didn't have a great middle
race because he'd have been a lot closer to me. Snetterton
should be good for us, but the way he's going in that MG we
have to seriously watch out for him. But as I've said before,
I'd rather have a lead than be playing catch-up."
Turkington, who at 24 could this year become the BTCC's youngest
ever champion, said: "Race three is the hardest race
I've ever done - all sorts was happening around me so to come
through it and win was a very exciting moment. It's definitely
game on in the title race. I think we've got Team Halfords
a bit rattled at the moment - they've seen just how competitive
the MG is today and I think we'll be just as competitive at
every circuit from now on."
Shedden, meanwhile, has jumped from fifth to third in the
standings thanks to also adding a third in race three to his
two victories. He is now a point ahead of fourth-placed Jason
Plato who suffered a bad day, failing to score in races two
and three after separate crashes in his SEAT Leon.
And SEAT has seen its lead in the Manufacturers' standings
eroded by Vauxhall - its three Astra Sport Hatches all displaying
strong form at Donington - from 77 points to 56. Team Halfords
has dramatically turned a two-point deficit into a 42-point
lead over SEAT Sport UK in the Teams' championship. Neal and
Team Halfords also continue to lead both the Independents
Trophy's Drivers' and Teams' tables.
Round 16, 16 laps (31.317 miles)
Weather/Track: Cloudy & Warm/Dry
Shedden fights back for victory
Shedden took a clear victory, but only after getting the measure
of Turkington who led the early stages. Having set his second
pole position of 2006, Shedden stayed ahead for the first
half of the opening lap until Turkington moved ahead.
Vauxhall's Fabrizio Giovanardi also got past Shedden, but
the Scot fought back and by mid-distance had overtaken both
drivers to regain the lead. Shedden, setting the race's fastest
lap for a bonus point, then drew away for his third win of
the season.
Turkington held off Giovanardi for second while right behind
them was Neal. Vauxhall team-mates Tom Chilton, who had run
fourth during the opening stages, and Gavin Smith completed
the top six.
Result:
1. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Integra, 19m48.048s
2. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/MG ZS, +1.490s
3. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Astra Sport
Hatch, +3.994s
Fastest Lap: Shedden, 1m12.970s
Round 17, 19 laps (37.188 miles)
Weather/Track: Cloudy & Warm/Dry
Shedden doubles up in style
Shedden again won by coming from behind, impressively this
time in a car fully laden with maximum success ballast following
his race one victory. Once more, the Scot used his pole position
advantage to lead the first half round the opening lap when
he was overtaken by Giovanardi.
But after a safety car period, Shedden was quick to move
back past Giovanardi and from there was never headed. Second
and third by the race's end, having also passed Giovanardi,
were his team-mate Smith - equalling his best ever BTCC result
- and Mike Jordan, in Team Eurotech Racing with John Guest's
Honda.
In a race of attrition, a second safety car period would
later be required when Plato crashed out in a collision with
Neal who at the time was recovering from a brush with Robert
Collard's Team RAC MG. After a pit stop to check over his
car, Collard went on to set the race's fastest lap. Neal survived
to take fifth and extend his series lead to 35 points over
Turkington who, having started from second, crossed the line
a disappointed eighth following two off-track moments with
other drivers.
Of note, Eoin Murray's Quest Racing Alfa finished a fine
sixth to add to the point he scored on his debut at Croft
two weeks ago. And there was a first-ever point for Adam Jones,
tenth in the Xero Competition team's Lexus.
Result:
1. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Integra, 27m19.499s
2. Gavin Smith (IRL), VX Racing/Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch,
+1.128s
3. Mike Jordan (GBR), Team Eurotech Racing with John Guest/Honda
Integra, +5.232s
Fastest lap: Robert Collard (GBR), Team RAC/MG ZS, 1m13.523s
Round 18, 14 laps (33.274 miles)
Weather/Track: Overcast/Dry-damp
Turkington wins to close on Neal
In a bizarre race, Turkington took victory with an audacious
overtaking manoeuvre at the final bend past Giovanardi. Turkington,
who started from second on the grid, had lost his race-long
lead to Giovanardi on the final lap but, under braking for
the chicane, determinedly pushed his way back through to re-take
first position just yards before the line.
Turkington's win, plus the race's fastest lap, meant he slashed
the points gap to series leader Neal to 22 points. Neal finished
the race in seventh after sliding off the track which had
become treacherous during a sudden rain shower.
Giovanardi, denied the chance to give Vauxhall its 100th
BTCC race win, finished second, while in third, despite serving
a pit lane drive-through penalty, was Shedden. Shedden had
been able to get back on terms with the field thanks not only
to the shower that caused confusion among the drivers but
two safety car periods which were required after several accidents.
Adding to the drama, the race had also required a second
start after a multiple pile-up involving Plato, Collard, Jason
Hughes' Kartworld MG and Mark Smith's InFront Alfa, blocked
the pits straight.
Result:
1. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/MG ZS, 24m44.034s
2. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Astra Sport
Hatch, +0.383s
3. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Halfords/Honda Integra, +4.868s
Fastest lap: Turkington, 1m13.351s
Leading BTCC points after Donington Park (provisional):
Drivers:
1. Matt NEAL 183pts
2. Colin TURKINGTON 161pts
3. Gordon SHEDDEN 130pts
4. Jason PLATO 129pts
5. James THOMPSON 114pts
6. Tom CHILTON 86pts
7. Fabrizio GIOVANARDI 83pts
8. Gavin SMITH 82pts
9. Mike JORDAN 62pts
10. Robert Collard 61pts
Manufacturers:
1. SEAT 357pts
2. Vauxhall 321pts
Teams:
1. Team Halfords 296pts
2. SEAT Sport UK 254pts
3. Team RAC 216pts
4. VX Racing 214pts
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