Now the BTCC season is over it is the perfect time to reflect on the top protagonists performances before silly seasons really kicks in and we start to find out about driver changes. To start with, the BTCC 2015 top ten review and how those drivers collected the points.
Gordon Shedden- The 2015 BTCC champion has impressed on so many levels this season, every aspect of his racing was heads and shoulders above the rest from his consistency and speed to his magnificent over taking moves, which were shown off in the dramatic final race of the season where he can from 19th to finish fourth and take the title. The Scot managed four wins on his way to his second championship; he also achieved many podiums and only once was he outside the top ten for qualifying which helped him on his way to the title as he made sure he was always at the sharp end of the grid. A near on perfect season for the now double champion gives him a 10/10 rating.
Jason Plato– despite being the most successful BTCC driver in terms of race wins throughout the season and overall, Plato finished the season in second place for a fifth time. He drove extremely well all season and claimed six wins over the course of the season however where he and Shedden differed was the consistency as Plato had five finishes outside the points and a DNF. The fans of the BTCC saw a slightly different side of Jason this season he was much more thoughtful in his driving and set a focus of collecting solid points instead of always going for a win which has cost him points in the past. BMR is a young team and to fight for the title would reflect a very strong season giving him a 9/10 rating.
Matt Neal– This season we saw the Neal fans who love to watch racing back in full form, as the 2014 season didn’t show the best of Neal’s true ability. Through amazing overtakes and three race wins alongside many podiums and further top ten finishes he had a strong campaign this year. It was fantastic to see Matt as a contender back in the championship hunt and also playing the team game as he gets on so well with Flash and was there to help him secure the title. Hopefully next season Neal and mount an even bigger title challenge and battle with the long term rival Plato. For the massive improvement Neal showed his season was a solid 8/10.
Colin Turkington– It is important to remember that this was Turkington’s first season back in a front wheel drive car for many years and a first year with a new team and he still managed to get four race victories. Despite the fact he finished fourth in the championship it was still a fantastic year and he did manage to claim his fifth Independents Driver Championship. With a new team and getting used to the car he is bound to keep on improving and challenge even more next year. His season was full of consistent finishes and some perfect drives so earns at least an 8/10.
Andrew Jordan– It’s fair to say the 2013 champion had a torrid year and to still finish fifth in the championship is the mark of a truly great driver. Despite having no wins or pole positions Jordan constantly fought back from tough qualifying to pick up points. Next year Jordan will be hoping for much better and he could be one of the drivers to move teams so a better year should follow. For his determination his season gets a 7/10.
Sam Tordoff- WSR didn’t have the strong season they had last season but Tordoff still managed to pick up two race wins a pole position; it could have been because the rear-wheel drive cars were pegged back slightly this season and the car just needs developing a bit more. It’s almost a given that Tordoff will claim more wins in the future but for this season he gets a solid 6/10.
Adam Morgan- For a young team and driver Wix Racing have done extremely well again this season putting in many great performances and getting seven podiums including a race win. The season may not have been the most consistent at times but with many top ten finished Morgan managed to finish seventh in the championship and put in a good 7/10 season.
Andy Priaulx- Three time world touring car champion made his return to the British series this season and with WSR and was very impressive despite having quite a mixed season – he claimed two race wins and a lot of top five finishes but also a lot more non-classified results and DNFs than others. He also missed Rockingham due to other commitments in the European Le Mans Series so could have finished a lot higher. Should he decide to carry on he will be in a good position to challenge for the title next season, his great return earns him an 8/10 season.
Jack Goff- Goff switched teams to join MG with Jordan this season and had a solid first season managing one race win and many top ten finishes. It’s fair to say the MG wasn’t perfect for either driver to get the best out of the car but that didn’t stop him putting him many great drives and impressing many with his race craft there will be big things to come from him in the future but for this season he gets a solid 6/10.
Rob Collard- There are not many drivers on the grid who race better than Collard and he proved that once again this season, at times his qualifying even improved and as soon he’s consistently in the top ten he will be a championship contender hard to beat. This season he managed three races followed by podiums and top ten finishes giving his season a 6/10.
In an interview with ITV Sport Matt Neal told them “you win with humility and you lose with grace”. Honda are the perfect example of how to win with humility and they done a fantastic job this season.
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