Andrew Jordan, Donington Park (Photo Credit: Chris Gurton Photography)
Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan left Donington Park this weekend rather frustrated despite three solid points scoring finishes in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Jordan and teammate Jeff Smith shared a total of five, top six finishes in Sunday's three races at the Leicestershire circuit, meaning Pirtek Racing retain third place in the overall teams' standings.
With both cars qualifying in the top 10, home boy Jordan and Smith were set up for high finishes over Sunday's races. Despite a consistent qualifying session, Jordan was caught out on the line losing several places due to lack of heat in the tyres.
Jordan said: “I got back up to sixth: the car was good and lasted well and I made some good moves.”
After the knockdown, Jordan fought hard to challenge for podium position but a collision with rival; ES Racing's Dave Newsham put an end to Jordan's podium chances.
Jordan commented: “I had a good start and a good battle with Tom Onslow-Cole. Just as I got him into McLeans I got a tap from behind from Dave Newsham. That sent me through the gravel and I lost a lot of ground, but I got back up to fifth.”
With both Jordan and Smith drawn first and second, it was a Pirtek Racing front row lock out for the third and final race of the day. Smith had a poor start and was swamped by cars into the first corner. With falling air temperatures, it proved difficult for heat to stay in the tyres, subsequently sending Jordan into a slide at Redgate: “It went pretty quickly: it might just have been the cold tyres or I got a little nudge.”
The Old Hairpin showed to be the proven spot for over taking and error over the weekend. As eBay Motors' Rob Collard bounced over the grass on to the track in his BMW, Jordan moved to left to avoid other cars but ended up clashing with Matt Neal. Jordan rejoined but with his Civic's handling taking a battering, he battled to the line finishing sixth just behind his teammate Smith.
Although Jordan described the weekend as frustrating, he and Jeff Smith left with consistent results and points in the bag for both themselves and the team in the respective drivers' and teams' championships.
