Gordon Shedden claimed a dramatic last-lap win in a fierce third Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race battle with Rob Collard at Snetterton.
The race was marred initially by a monumental shunt at the initial start attempt, involving Hunter Abbott, Ollie Jackson, Mark Howard and Alex Martin.
Contact towards the rear of the field ended with Abbott’s Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze barrel rolling down and onto the barriers, collecting a cameraman’s stand which collapsed in the process. Thankfully, both Abbott and the cameraman in question were reportedly both ok.
A lengthy red flag delay followed, after which there was further drama when pole-sitter – and championship leader – Sam Tordoff headed for the pits with a problem at the end of the formation lap from pole position.
Tom Ingram inherited pole position in the process, but the Speedworks Motorsport man suffered a disastrous opening two corners as he was bumped wide at Wilson’s. Jason Plato took the lead with a better getaway, bringing the West Surrey Racing BMW 125i of Collard with him into second.
The latter then made his move for the lead at Oggies on lap two, sneaking inside the Subaru which drifted wide and allowed Collard to pounce heading onto the Bentley Straight.
Collard looked set for success for much of the race, until a late surge from Shedden set up a thrilling conclusion. The reigning champion lunged inside the WSR man into Agostinis, Collard running wide in his defence a corner later. Collard retaliated with contact at Oggies, Shedden emerging ahead to claim a second win of his season.
Mat Jackson briefly held second place after a move on Plato during the third lap, but a mechanical problem saw him retire. Third place was a welcome one for Handy Motorsport‘s Rob Austin, who grimly fended off the attentions of both Plato and a charging Andrew Jordan for the Toyota team’s first BTCC podium.
Plato beat Jordan and Silverline Subaru Team BMR team-mate Colin Turkington to fourth spot, Adam Morgan next up while the top 10 was rounded out by Aiden Moffat (Mercedes), Josh Cook (MG) and Matt Neal (Honda).
More to follow….
