BTCC

Mat Jackson Wins Silverstone Race Three Thriller

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Mat Jackson took his second win of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season in the third and final race at Silverstone, while Colin Turkington escaped from drama in a thrilling encounter to remain in the driving seat for the championship.

The race ended before it had even started for Sam Tordoff however, left stranded on the grid in a plume of smoke due to a spectacular mechanical failure.

Jackson made the most of the empty space in front of him to relegate front row starter Aron Smith down to third spot, and instantly began chasing his pole-sitting team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi.

The Italian surrendered the lead at Luffield with the inside line, the Airwaves Racing duo met by the safety car which was deployed for a hefty shunt involving James Cole and Robb Holland. Cole’s United Autosports Avensis was tipped into a spin at Becketts by Hunter Abbott, Holland powerless to avoid slamming into the side of the Toyota before confronting his rival.

The restart saw Jackson lead and extend his cushion over the remainder of the 21-lap race, eventually clinching a well-deserved second win of the season by just under three seconds.

Aron Smith began attacking Giovanardi for second place meanwhile, the Irishman snatching the place at Copse on lap seven. Giovanardi then became the leader of a train of cars jostling over the final podium spot, championship leader Turkington heading the chase.

Turkington applied the pressure before finally launching an attack on the Ford into Brooklands late in the race, Alain Menu brilliantly taking advantage of the pair making contact down the main straight to snatch third into Copse.

The battle didn’t end there, Turkington himself cutting back exiting the first corner where he was bumped from behind by nearest championship rival, Jason Plato, into the following bend. The knock punted Turkington into Giovanardi, leaving a three-wide dice into Brooklands continuing of which Turkington somehow emerged on top for the final podium spot.

Plato settled for fourth ahead of Menu who enjoyed a fine weekend for BMR Racing, while Andrew Jordan joined the scrap and eventually crossed the line sixth ahead of Adam Morgan.

Gordon Shedden‘s championship hopes officially ended as he finished eighth, now 100 points adrift. The top 10 was rounded out by Warren Scott and BMR team-mate Jack Goff, Scott earning his best ever BTCC result in ninth.

Giovanardi slumped to 11th in the dogfight that ensued, ahead of the second Honda Yuasa Racing Civic Tourer of Matt Neal.

The visit to Silverstone now sees Turkington lead the championship by 50 points ahead of Plato, Jackson jumping up to fourth overall with his win as the season heads to its finale at Brands Hatch GP on 11/12 October.

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