Knockhill is always a good track for real wheel to wheel BTCC racing and this weekend was no exception. Qualifying went to plan for most as the rear wheel drive car headed the field as Andy Priaulx took pole position with teammate Tordoff in close succession and the surprise package was the ford focus of Mat Jackson starting at the sharp end for the first time since a return at Snetterton. The disappointment of qualifying came for Jason Plato who with full ballast and not the quickest car he only managed 22nd.
BTCC Knockhill Review
Race was a typical BTCC race all action for the whole 25 laps, Jackson was the one who got the better start and soon took the lead and built a lead whilst the action took place behind him, mainly a battle between Neal, Shedden and Austin who were fighting for 3rd to 6th positions. After a safety car came out for debris on the track Priaulx and Collard closed up and Collard first managed to get past his team mate and then took first with a great move down the straight. Turkington managed 10th and some solid points for his title charge while Plato managed to set a lap time for 10th on the grid for race 2 as BMR continued there damage limitation for their weakest circuit.
Twists in the title race was the subject of race two, as after contact with Priaulx, Turkington had to retire with damage leaving him 3rd in the championship. That was due to Gordon Shedden taking an emphatic home win after a brilliant overtake, followed by the winner of race one Collard then closely behind him Jackson who done well with 66kg of ballast. Championship leader Plato managed to gain 7th place keeping his championship lead.
Race three was its normal madness as Adam Morgan who was on pole and took the lead at the start to pull out a big gap and Neal was challenging all the way and that leaders swapped places on lap 23 when Morgan picked up debris which slowed him down slightly and Neal came through. Two stars off the race were Aiden Moffat who was in 3rd place for the majority of the race until a slightly unfair move was made by Priaulx who took the position and Moffat went on to finish 5th. The other being Sam Tordoff who was on a charge from 21st was racing in 6th position before he seemed to have suspension damage and then retired.
The weekend did certainly mix up the championship but it is still Plato who leads by 11 points to Shedden and Neal moves up to 3rd 21 points behind Plato and Turkington falls another 6 behind Neal. Although at first look it may look difficult for Turkington he was extremely good at Rockingham last season and will be able to qualify with less ballast at a track the car should be very suited too, so anything can happen in two weeks at Rockingham circuit.
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