Triple Eight boss Ian Harrison described the final BTCC meeting of the season as a “good weekend for the team” as they picked up four points finishes between their two cars.
James Nash, who has contested all by one weekend for the team this season led the charge for points with top ten finishes in each of the three races around the 1.2 mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit – eighth, ninth and seventh.
“Today's probably been the best weekend of the season for the Carlson Vauxhall,” reported Nash. “We had some early momentum but spinning out of the lead at Snetterton in August knocked us back and it's been very hard to find some consistency since. Overall though I'm happy how my first full season in touring cars has gone and it's nice to finish with three good results. Hopefully I can take this form into next season when getting on the podium consistently has got to be the aim”
The weekend also saw an impressive debut from Sam Tordoff – the Clio Cup racer joining the Touring Car pack for the weekend. After qualifying well in eighth for the first race – just behind Nash – a poor start and a driver-though penalty saw him finish outside of the points in the first race. He then showed BTCC skills beyond his experience in a typically aggressive battle with Andy Neate and Ben Collins in the second race.
It was the third race when Tordoff's determination was rewarded with his first BTCC points with a tenth place finish in the final race of the season.
”A top ten finish to round of my first touring car event is fantastic really and a great way to thank my sponsor GardX who enabled me to make my debut today,” said Tordoff. “Hopefully, I've impressed the right people because after tasting touring cars for the first time I know that this is where I want to stay”.
“A good weekend for the team and a reasonable way to finish the season,” said Harrison. “I have though got to congratulate Jason [Plato] on winning the Championship. It's great for him that he's done it because his first title was with us 10 years ago and he's been hanging around ever since including finishing second to us a few times. Mind you, he better look out next year.”
“Finally, I'd like to thank everybody in the team, the sponsors, our drivers and all of the fans that have continued to support us. It's been a challenging season, one to make us tougher and let's just say that I'm really looking forward already to 2011.”
