inside btcc - issue 17 - 2012 season review

issue 17: nov 2012

SEASON REVIEW / FINAL RESULTS & POINTS / MUCH MORE...

PLUS - WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES ON TINTOP TUESDAY...

INSIDEBTCC.COM

SHEDDEN CROWNED! SCOT CELEBRATES FIRST BTCC TITLE... BUMPER 72-PAGE END OF SEASON SPECIAL ISSUE!

Inside BTCC � www.insidebtcc.com

CONGRATULATIONS

2012 BTCC CHAMPION

HiQ TEAMS CHAMPION

INDEPENDENT

CHAMPION

INDEPENDENT TEAMS

CHAMPION

MANUFACTURER/

CONSTRUCTOR GORDON SHEDDEN

HONDA /DYNAMICS

HONDA RACING

ANDREW JORDAN

PIRTEK RACING

Inside BTCC �www.insidebtcc.com

After �0 races full of action and drama, we have a new champion after Gordon Shedden became the third Scottish driver to lift the crown.

The Honda driver saw off the challenge of Matt Neal and Jason Plato at Brands Hatch to become champion for the first time at the end of a season where he won eight times – more than any of his rivals were able to manage.

Shedden wrapped up the title on a weekend where there were two new winners in the shape of Aron Smith and Frank Wrathall, while Neal also took a victory on his final weekend as champion.

This bumper edition of Inside BTCC – the biggest we’ve produced so far – looks back at how the championship title was won over ten action-packed meetings and includes interviews with the key men involved in the title battles.

We speak to the new champion about his success while both Neal and Plato pay tribute to the man who beat them to the title.

Plato however also has words of warning for his Honda rivals as MG already turns its focus towards the �01� season.

Shedden wasn’t the only Honda driver to win a title at Brands Hatch so we also speak to Andrew Jordan on becoming the Independents’ champion, while there are also interviews with Wrathall and Rob Austin after tough seasons on track.

Away from the circuit, we go behind the scenes with Tin Top Tuesday, discover winter tyres with Dunlop and count down our top ten drivers from the �01� season.

As usual, we also have the latest news from within the paddock and a full rundown on the results and points from the �01� campaign.

If you want to get in touch, you can e-mail us on [email protected], follow us on Twitter at @InsideBTCC or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/InsideBTCC

Until next time…

WELCOME...

CONGRATULATIONS

2012 BTCC CHAMPION

HiQ TEAMS CHAMPION

INDEPENDENT TEAMS

CHAMPION

HONDA /DYNAMICS


CONTENTSCONGRATULATIONS

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB

MICHELIN GINETTA GT SUPERCUP - G55

AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP

AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP – ENTRANTS TROPHY

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB, PRO-AM1Michael Meadows – Redline Racing

Ahmad Al Harthy – Redline Racing

Carl Breeze – Tollbar/TCR

Jack Goff – Team Pyro

Team Pyro

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB, PRO-AM2

Will Goff – Goff Racing


Mark Davies – Richardson Racing

MICHELIN GINETTA GT SUPERCUP - TEAMS

Richardson Racing

AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP – ROOKIE CUP

Josh Cook – 20Ten Racing

AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP – MASTERS CUP

Simon Belcher – Team Pyro

GINETTA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Charlie Robertson – HHC Motorsport

GINETTA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - TEAMS

Douglas Motorsport


CONTENTS

ABOUT INSIDE BTCC...

Inside BTCC is an independent publication that is in no way endorsed by, or affiliated to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship or its organisers.

Photos are credit PSP IMAGES (www.psp-images.co.uk) or JAKOB EBREY (www.jakobebrey.com) unless otherwise stated.

To get in touch, please email: [email protected].

Written, produced and edited by Matt Salisbury and Matt Lamprell.

IN THIS ISSUE...SHEDDEN LIVES THE DREAMThe Scot joins BTCC winners’ row

6 - 7

HOW THE SEASON UNFOLDEDRace-by-race: How Shedden claimed the title

8 - 19

TRYING TINTOP TUESDAYBehind the scenes on the BTCC’s radio programme

20 - 21

BRANDS HATCH REVIEWAll the action from the final rounds of the season

22 - 27

SHEDDEN: IT’S BEEN A WHIRLWINDWe get the new champ’s reaction a few weeks on

28 - 29

AUSTIN: IT HASN’T GONE OUR WAYAudi star looks to the future

32 - 35

WEEKEND WARRIORSWe talk to some of the BTCC’s part-time stars

36 - 37

STAR’S BACK DUNLOP’S WINTER MESSAGEBTCC racers take to the snow

38

WRATHALL SIGNS OFF IN STYLEWe catch up with Frank after his first BTCC victory

40 - 41

MORGAN SWITCHES TO FAMILY TEAMBack with NGTC Toyota in 2013

42

SMITH GETS FIRST NGTC RUNMotorbase gives young drivers a chance

43

JORDAN AIMS HIGHGoing for the title in 2013

46 - 47

RIVALS PRAISE NEW CHAMPIONNeal and Plato gracious in defeat

48 - 49

NEWS IN BRIEFLatest from inside the BTCC paddock

52 - 53

PLATO, MG VOW TO BOUNCE BACKMore to come from Triple Eight outfit

54 - 55

OUR TOP 10 DRIVERS OF 2012We rate the stars of the championship

56 - 60

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGSFinal 2012 BTCC standings

68 - 69

THE SEASON AS IT FINISHEDResults at-a-glance

70 - 71

Front cover images: Main - Shedden celebrates (jakobebrey.com); Top right - Tintop Tuesday (Inside BTCC).Back cover: Gordon Shedden (jakobebrey.com).

CONGRATULATIONS


AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB, PRO-AM1Michael Meadows – Redline Racing

Ahmad Al Harthy – Redline Racing

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB, PRO-AM2


MICHELIN GINETTA GT SUPERCUP - TEAMS

AIRASIA RENAULT UK CLIO CUP – MASTERS CUP

Charlie Robertson – HHC Motorsport


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When Gordon Shedden left Silverstone following the penultimate round of the BTCC with a 15 point championship lead, history suggested that the Scot would soon be celebrating his first title.

On only one occasion in the previous decade had the championship lead changed on the final weekend of the season and by the time the chequered flag dropped at the end of race two at Brands Hatch, the 33-year-old had put enough daylight between himself and the chasing pack to ensure he couldn’t be caught.

The championship crown would have been the last thing on Shedden’s mind when the season got underway at Brands Hatch back in April, when fifth place with an ailing car in race one was followed by a retirement and an exclusion from the remaining two races.

From there on however, Shedden quickly established himself as a true title contender with a second place and two wins at Donington being followed by two more wins at Thruxton – where he was forced to fight his way through from 18th on the grid after an over-boost issue in qualifying.

Further victories at Oulton Park and Croft meant the Scot headed into the summer break just a point behind team-mate Matt Neal in the standings.

A dramatic practice fire in practice at Snetterton wasn’t the best way for Shedden to restart his campaign and exclusion from the final race of the weekend, again for an over-boost issue, meant he missed out on the chance of leading the way into his home round at Knockhill – although he would rebound from that to score two podium finishes on Scottish soil.

And then came Rockingham, and arguably the defining moment of Shedden’s season. Having secured a podium finish in race one, the Scot took advantage of an error from Andy Jordan to secure victory in a wet race two.

On the second lap of race three however, Shedden’s car suddenly snapped sideways while the Scot was heading around the circuit’s banked opening corner.

Had Shedden failed to catch the slide and gone into the wall, his race would have been over on the spot. But he not only managed to regain control, he also went on to win the race. It would give him a championship lead he wasn’t to lose.

Minimising his losses when Honda struggled at Silverstone, Shedden did what he needed to do at Brands Hatch to become the first Scottish winner of

the BTCC crown since John Cleland took his second title back in 1995.

“This is what I wanted to go racing for, but I never imagined I’d actually get here and win the title,” he said after climbing from his car at Brands Hatch. “It’s just an amazing feeling. I came close last year and got a taste for it, and I was happy to see Matt win and for us to take a 1-2 for Honda. This season the tables have turned but there are so many people who have been involved in making this happen. So many people had belief that we could do it and have been a part of this season; it’s just incredible.

“When the season got underway I had a complete shocker at Brands Hatch but we turned things around as the season went on and we learnt more about the car. When I’ve been running, I’ve been running quickly although we did

Honda’s Scottish star adds his name to the list of BTCC champions at Brands Hatch...

SHEDDEN LIVES THE DREAM


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have occasions when things conspired against us. I know how good our chassis has been, but at certain circuits, the boost regulations did hurt us. Silverstone in particular was a difficult weekend for us to take as we were a sitting duck on the straights, but that is all forgotten now.

“We’ve pushed hard with the car and it’s worked for me, I really gelled with it. Eddie [Hinckley], Barry [Plowman] and the team have done so much behind the scenes and I couldn’t have done it without the car underneath me.

“I think the celebrations now will go on until April!”

Shedden’s title success came on the back of eight wins over the course of the year and team boss Steve Neal admitted that the whole Dynamics squad was thrilled to have helped the Scot to achieve his dream.

“I’m delighted,” he said. “It’s an ambition we have had with Gordon for six years. He is the longest serving driver we have had at Team Dynamics aside from Matt, and I’m pleased for him to win the title and also for Honda for the result we have gained for them. Gordon is going to be the new Cleland in Scotland – although he doesn’t quite have John’s brashness. He is a really great guy and he deserves it.

“Gordon has always been

quick – he has just lacked a bit of experience and strategy. If you saw him after the first race [at Brands Hatch] he was in the doldrums as his car wasn’t right and he lost points to Matt. However, we got his car right and off he went to wrap up the title in race two.”

The fact that Shedden emerged on top of the title battle ahead of defending champion Neal also put to bed any talk that he wouldn’t be able to win the crown while

racing alongside the team bosses’ son.

“It’s been very emotional for all of us to see someone else win it as it’s always been said in the past that this is a family team built around Matt,” technical director Barry Plowman said. “This proves that the drivers have equal kit and an equal chance and Gordon has taken it.

“It’s great for Gordon to be champion. He’s been with us for six years and has got close before, and he had a shit start to the season this year here at Brands. But he came back, won eight races and has done a fantastic job.

“You have to say that a guy who has won so many races deserves to win the title and he has been head and shoulders above the rest in race wins.”

SHEDDEN LIVES THE DREAM


HOW THE 2012 SEASON UNFOLDED

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A RACE-BY-RACE LOOK AT SHEDDEN’S RUN TO THE TITLE


HOW THE 2012 SEASON UNFOLDED

Inside BTCC 10 www.insidebtcc.com

1 - BRANDS HATCHPLATO WINS FIRST TIME OUT FOR MGRACE 1: ROB COLLARDRACE 2: MATT NEALRACE 3: JASON PLATO

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Inside BTCC 11www.insidebtcc.com

2 - DONINGTON PARKSHEDDEN GETS BACK ON TRACK WITH DOUBLE VICTORY

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RACE 1: MAT JACKSONRACE 2: GORDON SHEDDENRACE 3: GORDON SHEDDEN

Inside BTCC 1� www.insidebtcc.com

3 - THRUXTONANOTHER DOUBLE AS SHEDDEN FINDS HIS STRIDE

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RACE 1: MAT JACKSONRACE 2: GORDON SHEDDENRACE 3: GORDON SHEDDEN

Inside BTCC 1�www.insidebtcc.com

4 - OULTON PARKFIFTH WIN FOR SHEDDEN AS HONDA DOMINATE WITH NEAL DOUBLE

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RACE 1: MATT NEALRACE 2: GORDON SHEDDENRACE 3: MATT NEAL


5 - CROFTONE APIECE FOR NEAL, SHEDDEN & PLATO IN YORKSHIRE

RACE 1: MATT NEALRACE 2: GORDON SHEDDENRACE 3: JASON PLATO

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6 - SNETTERTONQUALIFYING FIRE PUTS SHEDDEN ON BACK FOOTRACE 1: JASON PLATORACE 2: ANDREW JORDANRACE 3: DAVE NEWSHAM

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7 - KNOCKHILLCOLLARD WINS TWICE AS NEAL LEADS POINTS STANDINGS

RACE 1: ROB COLLARDRACE 2: ROB COLLARDRACE 3: DAVE NEWSHAM

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8 - ROCKINGHAMWET AND WILD BUT IT’S TWO MORE WINS FOR SHEDDEN

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RACE 1: JASON PLATORACE 2: GORDON SHEDDENRACE 3: GORDON SHEDDEN


9 - SILVERSTONENEAL’S TITLE HOPES UP IN SMOKE AS PLATO WINS TWICE

RACE 1: JASON PLATORACE 2: MAT JACKSONRACE 3: JASON PLATO

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10 - BRANDS HATCHSHEDDEN CLINCHES FIRST BTCC TITLE AT WET BRANDSRACE 1: MATT NEALRACE 2: ARON SMITHRACE 3: FRANK WRATHALL

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Inside BTCC �0 www.insidebtcc.com

The phrase ‘organised chaos’ is one often overused, but when it comes to the BTCC’s radio show, Tin Top Tuesday, it couldn’t be more apt.

Hosted by Alan Hyde with assistance from the Tin Top Tuesday Twitter Totty (think a female version of The Stig when it comes to the mystery that surrounds her), the two-hour show following on from each round of the season has become a must-listen for touring car fans and has spawned some of the BTCC’s more alternative stars; including Yvan Muller’s donkey...

The show now has just celebrated its fifth series and continues to go from strength to strength. Airing on Silverstone’s own radio station - which

means it available to listen to online and on the move - and now sponsored by Toyota, Tin Top Tuesday provides a more irreverent look at the BTCC and looks more at the personalities that make the series what it is, rather than just focusing on what they do on track.

That is part of the reason why it works so well, and when the opportunity arose during a text message conversation to go behind the scenes at a recording, it was one we were more than happy to take up.

Those who follow us on Twitter or Facebook will

have seen the image we posted of the empty Brands Hatch paddock as we headed home after Finals Day and our comment of what an eerie place it was, and the same could be said for Silverstone just days later when we pulled up in the car park ahead of the show.

With none of the team trucks and hospitality units that had been there just weeks earlier and only a handful of cars belonging to those appearing on the show, it was a slightly surreal place.

The studio itself is based in the hospitality suites that overlook the ’old’ pitlane so it was here that we would spend two hours watching on and listening

TRYING TINTOP TUESDAY

Inside BTCC pays a visit to Silverstone to see Tin Top Tuesday radio show put together

MATT SALISBURY JOINS ALAN HYDE IN THE STUDIO FOR TOYOTA TINTOP TUESDAY

Inside BTCC �1www.insidebtcc.com

in as the show played out.

The first thing that is obvious to see first hand is how at home Alan is in the studio environment. BTCC fans are used to hearing him in his role in the pitlane, where he is armed with little more than a microphone and a clipboard to hold his paperwork.

As far as TTT is concerned however, it couldn’t be more different, with an array of screens keeping him up to date on what is happening and the mixing desk in front enabling him to ensure that things run smoothly.

With the clock ticking down to the start of the show, the first guests had arrived - Frank Wrathall and girlfriend Zara as well as ITV presenter Louise Goodman. Rob Austin and Will Bratt would

also arrive to take part, with the latter providing musical entertainment live from the studio.

The images available via our Facebook page show what went on behind the scenes but the two hours passed quickly and it wasn’t long before the show was off the air and everyone was heading off into the Northamptonshire mist.

Seeing the show go out first hand was an interesting experience, moreso because of the little interactions that went on between guests when they weren’t on air.

What was also interesting was seeing the Tin Top Tuesday Twitter Totty doing her best to avoid getting caught on camera as various Twitter feeds

were updated...

“We’ve had another great season on air and I have to thank everyone who listens in,” Alan said. “When we first started Tin Top Tuesday, we thought we’d made a good little show but we never expected it to become as popular as it has been.

“It always surprises me how many people get in touch in the run up to the show and when we are on air and their involvement helps to make it what it is.

“It’s all about having fun after a race weekend and it’s great that fans feels the same.”

Tin Top Tuesday will be back throughout the 2013 season.

TRYING TINTOP TUESDAY

Inside BTCC �� www.insidebtcc.com

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SHEDDEN CLINCHES TITLE

GORDON SHEDDEN WINS HIS FIRST BTCC TITLE AS FRANK WRATHALL AND ARON SMITH TAKE FIRST WINS IN THE SERIES...

Inside BTCC ��www.insidebtcc.com

Gordon Shedden clinched his first BTCC title with a race to spare at Brands Hatch.

The Honda Yuasa Racing Team driver finished fifth in the first race, before second in race two, which was enough to clinch the honours.

RACE ONE

EBay Motors driver Tom Onslow-Cole started the race from pole position and led away from the line in slippery conditions. Matt Neal

followed the BMW through Paddock Hill Bend in second after front-row started Andrew Jordan failed to find grip under his Honda’s front tyres.

Championship rivals Shedden and Jason Plato soon found themselves together on the track, with Shedden passing the MG when Plato ran wide on lap two.

At the front, it didn’t take Neal long to get into the lead, passing Onslow-Cole at Paddock on lap three. Onslow-Cole

then lost second to Andrew Jordan. By that point, Shedden had also moved ahead of Plato into fifth position.

There was a brief pause in the racing when the safety car was deployed on lap five, allowing the recovery of Ollie Jackson’s VW Golf from the Druids gravel trap.

Following the restart, Neal held onto the lead but came under increasing pressure from Jordan in

SCOT SHEDDEN GETS THE JOB DONEHONDA YUASA RACING TEAM DRIVER CLOSES OUT TITLE WITH SECOND PLACE IN RACE TWO

MATT LAMPRELL REPORTS

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SHEDDEN CLINCHES TITLE

GORDON SHEDDEN WINS HIS FIRST BTCC TITLE AS FRANK WRATHALL AND ARON SMITH TAKE FIRST WINS IN THE SERIES...


second. However, the reigning champion held on to the lead and went on to win for the fifth time this year.

With Neal at the front and Shedden ahead of Plato, it was a case of how much Plato could limit the damage to keep himself in contention for the title for at least the second race.

In the end, the MG driver had to settle for eighth position, leaving him 18 points behind

Shedden.

Neal took the win, ahead of Jordan and Onslow-Cole. Aron Smith claimed fourth place for Redstone Racing, with Shedden in fifth and Rob Collard sixth. Seventh place went to Dave Newsham, ahead of Plato, Will Bratt and Jeff Smith.

RACE TWO

Gordon Shedden finished second in the race behind Redstone Racing’s first-time winner Aron Smith, but with

Matt Neal third and Jason Plato fifth, that was enough to secure Shedden’s first BTCC title.

Following the race, Shedden said: “I can’t believe it. That’s mental. Thankyou so much to everyone at Honda and Team Dynamics. This is what I started racing for.

“Everyone has worked so hard. This is as much for the team as it is for me. It’s unreal.”

Shedden started the race 18 points ahead of teammate Matt Neal and 20 in front of Plato. As the red lights went out, it was Tom Onslow-Cole who made the best start and led through Paddock for the first time. H e was trailed by Aron

Smith and Neal.

The safety car greeted the pack as they completed the first lap, with Rob Collard and Will Bratt having come together at Druids. It was an incident that could have impacted the

Good weekend:Gordon Shedden Claimed his first BTCC title. Frank Wrathall Ended the year with his first BTCC victory.

ONSLOW-COLE CLAIMSFINAL POLE

Tom Onslow-Cole may not have been involved in the title fight at Brands Hatch, but that didn’t stop the eBay Motors driver from claiming his first pole position of the season.

Onslow-Cole was the last driver to cross the line at the end of the 30-minute session and used it to his advantage to edge out Andrew Jordan for pole position for round 28 of the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The BMW driver went to the top of the times with just under 10 minutes of the session remaining. However, he nearly lost out to Jordan as the Pirtek Racing driver toppled him from the top of the times

after the chequered flag came out. Fortunately for Onslow-Cole, though, he followed Jordan across the line to reclaim the spot just a few seconds later.

Championship contender Matt Neal claimed third on the grid, ahead of Rob Collard in fourth and Jason Plato in fifth. Adam Morgan would line up sixth, with points leader Gordon Shedden down in seventh.

BTCC debutant Aaron Williamson claimed an impressive eighth place on the grid, ahead of Mat Jackson and Dave Newsham.

RACE RESULTS - TOP 10sRACE ONE

1 Matt Neal (NGTC) 31:27.137; 2 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) +0.526; 3 Tom Onslow-Cole (S2000) +1.040; 4 Aron Smith (NGTC) +6.698; 5 Gordon Shedden (NGTC) +11.082; 6 Rob Collard (S2000) +11.925; 7 Dave Newsham (S2000) +14.301; 8 Jason Plato (NGTC) +25.050; 9 Will Bratt (NGTC) +25.050; 10 Jeff Smith (NGTC) +27.407.

Fastest lap: Matt Neal (1:44.572)

Independent winner: Andrew Jordan

RACE TWO

1 Aron Smith (S2000) 35:56.647; 2 Gordon Shedden (NGTC) +2.615; 3 Matt Neal (NGTC) +4.489; 4 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) +4.979; 5 Jason Plato (NGTC) +8.829; 6 Frank Wrathall (NGTC) +9.503; 7 Mat Jackson (NGTC) +9.699; 8

Jeff Smith (NGTC) +13.835; 9 Lea Wood (S2000) +14.125; 10 Rob Austin (NGTC) +19.418.

Fastest lap: Gordon Shedden (1:44.571)

Independent winner: Aron Smith

RACE THREE

1 Frank Wrathall (NGTC) 26:41.205; 2 Matt Neal (NGTC) +6.893; 3 Gordon Shedden (NGTC) +6.980; 4 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) +7.065; 5 Aron Smith (S2000) +10.454; 6 Dave Newsham (S2000) +13.776; 7 Rob Austin (NGTC) +14.190; 8 Jason Plato (NGTC) +18.568; 9 Lea Wood (S2000) +18.834; 10 Tom Onslow-Cole (S2000) +20.277.

Fastest lap: Tom Onslow-Cole (1:44.927)

Independent winner: Frank Wrathall


title fight, with Plato tapping the back of Shedden and pushing the Honda into Collard. Fortunately, though, the title contenders were able to continue.

With Collard out of the race, Andrew Jordan was confirmed as the Independents’ champion.

A brief restart followed on lap six, only for Dan Welch to end up in the

gravel at Paddock and Dave Newsham in the barrier on the run down Graham Hill. That brought the safety car straight back out again.

The track was becoming increasingly slippery at this point, with the rain continuing to fall. When the race restarted for the second time, it was a question of whether Shedden could do enough or whether the title

would be decided in the final race of the season.

In the end, the crucial move was a pass by Shedden on teammate Neal, moving from fourth up to third.

With a handful of laps remaining, Shedden had done enough. At the front, Aron Smith continued to the flag to claim his first victory, much to the delight of the Redstone Racing

team.

Shedden crossed the line second to claim his first BTCC title, with Matt Neal in third. Andrew Jordan finished fourth, clinching the Independents’

title, ahead of Jason Plato in fifth. Sixth place went to Frank Wrathall, with Mat Jackson seventh and Jeff Smith eighth. Lea Wood and Rob Austin completed the top ten.

Bad weekend:Jason Plato Missed out on the title at the final hurdle. Rob Collard Had his sights set on Indy glory.

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RACE THREE

Wrathall started the race second on the grid behind Redstone Racing’s Mat Jackson but was slow away from the line and initially lost places. However, the Toyota driver was back up to second by the time the pack arrived at Druids.

Mat Jackson was in the lead, but just as at Silverstone, he retired from the lead with a throttle problem. It happened on lap four as he headed up the hill towards Druids, handing the lead to Wrathall.

In heavy rain and on a slippery track, Wrathall had to keep control of the race for the next 11 laps. However, that’s exactly what the young driver did as he went on to take his first win in the series.

It was a mature drive from Wrathall, with Matt Neal keeping the pressure on in second place. Wrathall brought the Toyota home first, ahead of Neal, Shedden and Andrew Jordan.

Fresh from his first victory in race two, Aron Smith finished fifth for Redstone

Racing, with Dave Newsham in sixth and Rob Austin in seventh.

Jason Plato ended the season with an eighth place finish after trying what he described as ‘some different settings’ on his MG6. The gamble failed to pay off as he dropped down the order after running as high as third in the early

stages.

Lea Wood and Tom Onslow-Cole finished ninth and tenth respectively.

At the end of the 30-race season, Gordon Shedden is the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car champion, with 408 points. Matt Neal finishes as runner-up on 387, with Jason Plato

third on 376.

Honda secured a clean sweep of title, taking the honours in the Manufacturers/Constructors and the HiQ Teams Championship, while Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing secured the Indepdents Trophy and Independents Team Trophy.

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In the immediate aftermath of his title success, it was clear to see that Gordon Shedden was a happy man having become only the third Scottish driver to win the BTCC crown.

Some three weeks after that emotional weekend at Brands Hatch, Inside BTCC was able to speak to the Honda drive to see if his achievement had fully sunk in…

Inside BTCC:In the immediate aftermath of the season at Brands Hatch, you were almost lost for words at winning the title. Has it sunk in now?

Gordon Shedden:It’s been a massive whirlwind for three weeks since Brands Hatch. It’s been great and I’ve had so many people who have sent me a card, or a text or an e-mail to saw congratulations. I do chuckle to myself when people introduce me as the BTCC champion and it is a bit surreal to hear it, but I’m enjoying it.

Inside BTCC:What has been the best moment so far? Was it lifting the trophy at Brands Hatch or was it when you got back home to Scotland and were able to reflect on what you’ve achieved?

Gordon Shedden:The actual weekend at Brands Hatch was incredible and it was all a bit mental to be honest. Getting the trophy and standing looking at in the garage and seeing some of the names that are on it was incredible and it was good to relax with the team on the Sunday night as there was a lot of pressure that had been lifted on the team. They produced a great car and I managed to pedal it to the title for them.

Inside BTCC:You’re the longest serving driver that Dynamics have had aside from Matt and it’s been a six-year journey to get to this point. There was a brief split a few years ago but what does it mean to you to have won the title for

them now?

Gordon Shedden:It’s great. For me, Dynamics is a family team and it shows any doubters that the equipment is equal and that we both have a fair chance of going for the title. Matt is a bloody high benchmark to aim for and it has taken me a while to get there, but luck went my way this year and it made a difference. Matt may have relinquished the title this year but I’ve made sure it has stayed in the family so to speak.

Inside BTCC:Was it important for you personally to show that you weren’t just a number two at Dynamics and could win the title?

Gordon Shedden:We’ve never had a number one or number two driver at Dynamics since I started. The deal has always been that you go as quick as you can and you race for the team, but there have never been bits for one car that weren’t available for the

other or anything like that.

You have to remember that Matt started doing this back in the early 1990’s and has been at it for a long time and it takes a long time to come in and be able to match both his speed and his technical knowledge. I’m still learning from him and he has taught me so much. A lot of drivers can come into the BTCC and be quick in a race, but to put 30 of them together takes some doing.

Inside BTCC:When you were competing in the Fiesta championship and when you first entered the BTCC in the old Production Class, did you ever think you would one day be doing interviews as the BTCC champion?

Gordon Shedden:It’s what I wanted to do and was the whole goal when I started out. Back then, it looked like it was going to happen and I would get to touring cars and then it didn’t happen. At one point it looked like it had

Three weeks after lifting the title, championship winner Gordon Shedden tells Inside BTCC how it feels to be the British Touring Car Champion...

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SHEDDEN: IT’S BEEN A MASSIVE WHIRLWIND


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SHEDDEN: IT’S BEEN A MASSIVE WHIRLWIND

then gone pear-shaped and there have been a lot of ups and downs to get to this point and you do go from the highs to the lows of wondering where the next step will be and how you are going to get back in a car.

The 2009 season was hard for me but to get back with Honda in 2010 was great and we’ve kept things the same for the past three years, which has been key to our success. The team has lived every lap with me this season and the title win is as much for them as it is for me.

Inside BTCC:When the chequered flag dropped at Silverstone last year, the season ended with you and Matt driving a car that was pretty much as perfect as it was going to be. To then start with a clean sheet of paper this season, how hard has that been?

Gordon Shedden:People need to remember that our car was brand

new this season. Yes, we might have started it a bit earlier than Triple Eight started the MG, but I think we did a cracking job and engineering wise, there were so many late nights to get our car out testing before the season got underway. But my car only ran for the first time a week before Media Day so it wasn’t like we were testing right from the end of 2011.

What we had was continuity of some fantastic engineers and two drivers who drive in a similar way. I drove the previous Civic in its first season back in 2007 and my input then was probably quite limited as it was only my second year and I didn’t understand what makes a touring car tick. Now it is a different story and we benefitted from having two drivers who want similar things and who could help to accelerate the development of the car to make it as competitive as it was.

Inside BTCC:Did you find that the NGTC

Civic required a different style of driving with things like the added weight?

Gordon Shedden:It’s very different in terms of set-up and in terms of understanding what makes it tick, but it is still a front-wheel drive touring car. Both Matt and I would agree that when we first drove the car, there were some positive things about it but there were also some parts that we found widely different compared to what was an amazing car last year.

The 2011 car was awesome and so well hooked up, and it has taken us a while to get the new car to behave anything like last year’s car did. But once we did that, we took steps beyond that and have gone above and beyond what was a great car in 2011 to create something even better. The car really is a potent weapon.

Inside BTCC:You won eight times this year and the Civic became

the benchmark car in terms of wins, but do you think you have realised its potential or is there more to come?

Gordon Shedden:I think we need to improve. I know myself, and believe, that I have driven better this year than I have done before and I think Matt has as well. We’ve had to push each other so hard to get the best out of the car to stay ahead and it has been a constant challenge. We’ve been pretty equal all year and the cards ultimately fell in my favour.

I think there is more to come from the Civic and what we need a is a level playing field in terms of power next year as I think it was quite clear at some stages in 2012 that it was quite difficult for us.


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“THINGS HAVEN’T GONE OUR WAY SO FAR - BUT

THEY WILL!”Rob Austin opens up on a difficult second season for his Audi squad as it aims to take a step forward in the 2013 BTCC...

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“THINGS HAVEN’T GONE OUR WAY SO FAR - BUT

THEY WILL!”

There is little doubt that Rob Austin has established himself as one of the most popular figures in the BTCC paddock, although he endured a difficult season in 2012 with engine issues hampering his challenge.

A change of engine builder and a fresh approach from the Rob Austin Racing team as the season wore on saw some of the reliability issues resolved while the pace of the NGTC-spec Audi was clear to see in the closing rounds of the year.

However, as Austin explains, the 2012 season was one that was far from easy…

Inside BTCC:It turned out to be a character-building season again for the team in 2012. How would you sum it up?

Rob Austin:It was tough. Things started out okay, and at the base level boost that we had at the start of the season, everything was going fine. At Brands Hatch, we weren’t even running that and we got some good results, which were quite

positive for us. We then went to Donington and things looked good again until we got to qualifying and turned the boost up to the maximum that we were allowed. We set the fastest first sector and then the engine blew up – and that was the beginning of the end for us.

The engine we were using simply couldn’t take the amount of boost we were able to run. It started to eat itself from inside and then we had the same engine issues at Thruxton, which was the worst weekend of my life – next to Brands Hatch last year. We’d sent the engines that had blown up back to Liechtenstein after Donington and they were both rebuilt and then put on a dyno – where they blew up again. It meant that all they had time to do was to put together an engine from what they had and send it back to us. We thought we’d found a solution but the engines weren’t at their best because of the damage they had and it hurt us.

Since then, we have moved over to Field Motorsport to

do the engines and mapping but we almost gave up on this year at that point and started to focus on next year. We wanted to improve our reliability and have lost a lot of points in the teams championship because we have been breaking the seals on the engines so much. You are only allowed two engines and then you lose ten points, but we have broken the seals at every race meeting to try things and to increase reliability and strength, and also to improve performance as well.

Over the winter we have a step forward to take with our new engine builder and they are doing a good job, but it has taken us all season to get there and we have only really been able to achieve proper reliability from the engines since Snetterton.

It’s a real shame because the pace has been in the car all season but the engine issues let us down. I think we showed our pace at Brands Hatch and would have won the third race without an overheating issue from about the fifth

lap that meant we went backwards. We had the pace at Croft despite the reliability problems and then from Snetterton we hit the reset button and took a new outlook on things.

It’s been productive as we restructured and made things work for us, although we’ve been unlucky with our results. We what need is some more money to go testing and throw tyres at the car to get the best set-up that will allow us to qualify better. We also need more wet testing as well but in the dry we are as quick as anyone in a race as we showed at Rockingham and at Silverstone. I’m proud that that is now a consistent thing, we just need to work on the other factors.

Inside BTCC:How tough have the past two years been for you because you came into the BTCC as a new team to the series with the concept of NGTC and a car that was going to cost a certain amount. We’ve seen those costs rise and you’ve had to fund that without manufacturer backing and without a big sponsor, so

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how difficult has it been?

Rob Austin:It’s been huge. We don’t have manufacturer backing and have struggled for sponsorship but we have invested a lot into the programme ourselves. Each change promises to be the last change, but then you need to do something else and its difficult as you have to find the money to get on track and show that you are progressing to attract drivers and sponsors. It has been painful at times, such as at Brands Hatch last year for our first race. We were let down by our initial engine builder and we also should have received the car ready to run a month before the Media Day. In the end, it clearly wasn’t going to get done so we dived in and did the best we could to get the car out – you wouldn’t believe what we went through.

We’d done two all-nighters at GPRM but hadn’t got the engine - it hadn’t even been run, although the engine builder was confident that it would be on the pace

when it ran. The car was built and then I drove the truck up towards Stockport to get the engine, but midway up on the journey, the propshaft broke. We unloaded the car out of the truck on the side of the road and a very good friend, who I owe a lot of favours to, came out with his wife’s car and a mate’s trailer. We dismantled the car and took the bumpers off to get it in the trailer and carried on to Stockport.

They couldn’t get the engine running when we got there and we needed help from Cosworth who were at Brands Hatch, so we thought we’d go there and then use Ginetta’s rolling road. We were on our way down there, and as my mate had done me a huge favour in lending me his wife’s car, I thought I’d brim the tank for him as the least he deserved was full tank of petrol. That was okay, apart from the fact the car was a diesel. I’d not slept for three days so it was understandable! We then had to drag the car back out of the trailer at

the side of the road and my mate then turned up with the truck that had had the propshaft replaced and I left him at the side of the road with his diesel car full of petrol waiting for The AA.

I finally got to Brands Hatch and it was just madness. In the end though, the engine just let us down and even if it had worked, the car just wasn’t ready and we missed out. Gradually from that point onwards it got easier and even though things haven’t always gone our way, we now have a car that is quick and reliable. We just need to work out qualifying and get a wet set-up as we know what we are doing with the car and now are just fine-tuning, which is a nice position to be in.

Inside BTCC:Do you think you’ve almost gone under the radar a bit this season and that you are making more progress than people may realise?

Rob Austin:I think we are stronger than people realise for

sure. What we did last year, everyone seems to put it down to huge boost, which simply wasn’t the case – we have more boost this year than we have then.

The progress we’ve made this year has been good. Rockingham is a good example. We came through from 12th or 13th into the top six and were running behind Matt Neal before stuff went on that I wasn’t impressed about and it resulted in me being taken out. We might have only ended up ninth after coming back through the field, but in clear air as I worked my way back, we had the quickest car on the circuit – we just didn’t get the fastest lap of the race as the tyres had gone.

You really have to look at the timing sheets to see the pace we had in that race and to notice the potential we showed. Plato walked that race and we were quicker than him at times and when we weren’t quicker than him, we weren’t far behind. Silverstone was the same.

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I’d come through from 17th to fifth and the reverse grid actually hurt me as I was moved back for race three. We were quick again and just half a tenth off Plato, so if me and Dan [Welch] had gone together in that final race, we could have got ahead of [Nick] Foster and Plato wouldn’t have caught us. My biggest regret this year is that move on Dan at Silverstone as I think one of us would have won that race. We had the pace.

The potential is there. It isn’t intended to be under the radar and it will come good for us. It’s been the same for Frank Wrathall to an extent. He’s had a torrid year and the car has potential but it didn’t come together until the last round. I’m sure he will admit there was some luck involved in that race, but there have been other times when he has deserved more than he has got. I don’t want to take anything from him in getting the win, but things haven’t gone our way like that. I’m sure it will.

Inside BTCC:

You had a new sponsor at Brands Hatch, which you hope will lead to more. How important is to now get a sponsorship deal in place for next year that will allow you to go into 2013 with two cars that you know will be there for the season?

Rob Austin:It’s hugely crucial. It’s everything for us and without that, it ain’t happening. It’s a bit like playing a game of Jenga. If you don’t have the bottom piece in place then you can’t stack the tower up and can’t start the game. We need a sponsor and have been working hard to find one. The roof scheme we did was well received and all sorts of people are now talking to us after we changed our attitude to things and looked more at what we could do with social media and things like that.

With Wix, we were talking to them for next year and they are involved next year at some level. We offered then a deal for the final round because we thought

it would look cool as a NASCAR and they jumped at the opportunity. They were over the moon with their investment before we even got to the circuit and when we go there, it was a pissing wet day and we failed to achieve what we wanted to, but they still had a fantastic day. We then had the car at Top Gear Live and they have been over the moon with things. We need to see what level there involvement is for 2013, but we are hopeful about next season and we are still looking for people to sit alongside them. We also need to find a sponsor for Will, because I think Wix will be on my car and we then have the second car to find backing for.

Inside BTCC:We’ve asked other teams how much they can find in their cars and Ian Harrison for one thinks they have found 30 per cent out of the potential in the MG - so far so how much do you think is to come from the Audi?

Rob Austin:Clearly there is more to

come from everyone as you always find bits and bobs but we aren’t talking seconds now – we are talking about tenths and they are the most difficult thing to find. We still have weight to lose and some tweaks we want to do aero wise but there isn’t that much more to come.

If you look elsewhere, Dynamics really optimised their package well with the Honda, which they should do as they have every resource available to them. That isn’t me being resentful but they have the right budget, the right drivers and Barry Plowman does a bloody awesome job there – I have a lot of respect for him.

If Ian thinks there is 70 per cent more to come from the MG, then I don’t see that myself. However, they are ahead of us and if they have that much more to come then it’s great, as we should be able to find 110 per cent from the Audi…


If it wasn’t for ‘weekend warriors’ then chances are most of the teams on the BTCC grid wouldn’t be able to go racing, with limited budgets meaning they rely heavily on volunteers who give up their free time to help out.

During the season finale at Brands Hatch, Inside BTCC caught up with two of those volunteers to find out how they got involved and what they do to assist their teams.

Andrew Brooks – AmDTuning.com

What is your role within the team?I look after all the tyres and am there to make sure that they are ready for every session. I have to make sure the pressures are set and that both the slick and wet tyres are prepared in case they are needed. After a session, I’ll also

make sure the pick-up is removed from the tyres so they can be used again.

It’s a pretty straightforward job to do – you just have to make sure you get your head around where the tyres have been on the car and where they are going to go when you are swapping tyres around. We have a number system and a spreadsheet plan to keep check of where each tyre has been on the car and

how many laps it has done.

What is your day job?I sell cheese! I have a shop in Malvern and we sell about 70 or 80 different cheeses, most of which are local and English. We also sell a wide range of cooked meats and deli products as well as things like jams, teas and coffees.

So how did you get involved in motorsport?

I was in the bar with my mate at Thruxton one year and got talking to Martyn Bell who was looking for some people to hand out goodies for him. In the end, a group of us ended up giving out 22,000 Sunshine bags so if you have one of those, it probably came from me! After that, I got involved with Tech-Speed where I showed an interest in the tyres and my mate Keith showed me how it worked. Then this season, I moved over to AmD.

What is the best part of being involved?It’s the whole atmosphere that there is in the paddock and the people you get to meet. We have a great bunch of guys in the team at AmD and I enjoy being with them on a race weekend and getting away from the day job. During the week, I scrape cheese in the shop and then on a race

We speak to two of the BTCC team members who give up their free time on race weekends to get involved…

WEEKENDWARRIORS

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weekend, I go and scrape tyres instead!

Andrew is offering BTCC fans the chance to enjoy a discount on any gifts purchased in the run up to Christmas. Simply visit www.cheeseboardmalvern.co.uk and use the discount code btcc2012 when ordering to get 10% off your purchase. The code will be valid until 15 December.

Joe Brown – MG KX Momentum Racing

What is your role within the team?I was asked to help out for some of the events this season where they had a large number of guests and my role was to drive the buggy in the paddock to help the team’s drivers and guests get one from place to another, and generally help to look after the guests who are with the team on a race weekend.

It can be a tough role,

especially on race day as there is a lot going on. I have to make sure I meet the helicopter on time when Jason arrives, and it can be difficult trying to locate guests at the gate when they arrive because of the crowds that are coming in to see the action. You also find there isn’t much time to get a break as it’s always so busy!

What is your day job?I work on copy control in the advertising department of a publishing company and I also build

radio-controlled cars. You might have seen some of them in the paddock in recent seasons; I’ve done a model of the VW Golf for the past two years.

So how did you get involved in motorsport?I’m a huge fan of motorsport and was a member of YourRacingCar.com. I told YRC boss Hannah that I could do a better job of packing the van than she could and got told to get on with it! It all started from there in the BTCC paddock, helping out with YourRacingCar,

and that is why I was then asked to help out MG when needed. I’ve also done some bits and pieces at club level racing as well.

What is the best part of being involved?I just love being part of the team, but the main thing I like is helping to introduce the BTCC to new guests who might not have been to watch the racing before. Seeing their faces light up when they hear the fans cheering on the cars on track is very rewarding.

On a personal note, I do miss sitting with my friends to watch the racing but at the same time, I know that I’m a small part of what they have come to see and what is keeping them entertained. That’s what keeps me coming back and I love it.

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Newly-crowned BTCC champion Gordon Shedden was one of the star names to help Dunlop launch its winter safety campaign at an event at the Tamworth Snowdome in Staffordshire.

Shedden was joined by Honda team-mate Matt Neal, Dynojet’s Frank Wrathall and RAR driver Rob Austin for the event, which aimed to show the reasons why drivers would be wise to consider fitting winter tyres to their cars as temperatures tumble.

Although there is no legal requirement in the UK to fit winter tyres, an increasing number of drivers are electing to fit the rubber to the their cars to improve safety in the winter months, with a softer compound tyre helping to produce more grip when temperatures drop below seven degrees.

Dunlop’s latest winter tyre, with Wintersport 4D, features a unique design that gives more grip than the other tyres in Dunlop’s winter range – which have already taken numerous awards.

A video presentation during the Tamworth event made that point clear, with a live action demonstration that showing exactly how good winter tyres perform.

Two identical Honda Civics were taken onto the twelve degree incline that is the main ski slope to see how they would perform, with one fitted with the Wintersport 4D and the other running on standard Dunlop summer tyres.

The winter tyre-shod car went right to the top without any issues,

whereas the standard tyre struggled to get any grip on a flat surface before it even reached the slope.

All four touring car stars took the chance to try the tyres for themselves, with all four getting up the slope on the winter tyres but failing miserably on the standard rubber.

“Safety is paramount in motor sport, but should be out on the public roads, too,” Shedden said. “These tyres prove why insurers are now very enthusiastic about people fitting them. They save motorists and their insurer money and could just save people’s lives.”

Insurers are now keen to see drivers make use of winter tyres after the cold snaps seen in recent years led to a huge increase in claims from people who had been involved in

accident caused by the conditions.

Statistics from the Met Office have shown that the UK weather between October and March is now ‘ideal’ for winter tyres, which can be stored during the summer months at special tyre hotels that are springing up around the UK.

Having seen what the winter tyre was capable of, Shedden, Wrathall and Austin took part in three toboggan races down the slope – taking a win apiece.

Videos of each of the three races, and one showing the performance of the winter tyre, can be found on our Facebook page with further information on the Wintersport 4D on DunlopTyres.co.uk

Four of the top stars from the BTCC help Dunlop promote its winter driving message in a special snow event...

STARS BACK DUNLOP’S WINTER

MESSAGE


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STARS BACK DUNLOP’S WINTER

MESSAGE


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Having impressed many with his performances on track in 2011, big things were expected from Frank Wrathall in his second season of competition in the BTCC but the 2012 campaign turned out to be a challenging one for the Dynojet man.

Despite showing impressive speed - such as at Snetterton where he stormed to pole position - Wrathall went into the final weekend of the season having managed just two podium finishes at the wheel of his Toyota Avensis and with his focus on trying to secure a top ten championship position.

Heading to Brands Hatch, Wrathall had already established himself as one of the top qualifiers on the grid although ironically, Brands Hatch would see him pick up his worst qualifying result of the campaign as he could only manage 14th spot after running into car problems.

Having been forced out of race one on Finals Day after

a move from Andy Neate at the final corner put the Avensis man into the gravel, Wrathall came through well to sixth in race two and that set him up well to benefit from the reverse grid in race three.

Despite a slow getaway, Wrathall held on around the outside at Paddock Hill to stay ahead of Jason Plato’s MG and then took advantage of an issue for Mat Jackson to take an unassailable lead out front.

It meant Wrathall ended the year with the win he had craved all season and was enough to take tenth overall from the grasp of eBay Motors man Nick Foster.

“The season turned out to be one that was very up and down,” Wrathall admitted. “We had a mega meeting at Thruxton to secure a podium finish and then Snetterton was also good. Getting pole position there showed the speed we had in the car but we struggled at times over the course of the season for numerous reasons, and

it meant that we headed to Brands Hatch having not really done ourselves justice.

“To end the season with a win was brilliant both for me and the team, and we couldn’t have asked for more. We’d struggled a bit in race one even before being taken off, but we improved the car a lot for race two and coming through to sixth place there was key as it showed the speed was there. Okay, we benefitted from the reverse grid to be on the front row in race three but once I was at the front I was able to settle into a rhythm and pull away.”

Wrathall’s bid for success in 2012 had come with a completely new car after the Dynojet squad built up a completely fresh car for his second season, and while it ultimately took time to get the best from the package, the victory went some way towards relieving some of the pressure that Wrathall had been putting on himself.

“There are times when we’d almost forget that the car this season was a new car,” he said. “We’d have problem and would be looking back at what happened in 2011 and would wonder why we weren’t getting the same kind of result on track. On the whole however, I think we have proved that the new car is quicker than the old one was and the work we put in has paid off and put us in a good position as we look to 2013.

“Getting the first win under my belt has lifted some of the pressure that we put on ourselves to be successful. If I’m being honest, we would have been disappointed if we’d got to the end of the season with just a pole position and two podium finishes to show for our efforts; we would have felt we’d underachieved. Now we have that victory, some of the pressure has been lifted and hopefully there will be many more to come!”

After a difficult second season in the BTCC, Frank Wrathall realised his potential with a crucial victory in the final race of the year...

WRATHALL SIGNS OFF IN STYLE

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Adam Morgan has confirmed that he will return to the B TCC next season, albeit not with the same Speedworks team that ran him in 2012.

Morgan will instead race for the family-run Ciceley Racing squad that carried him to the 2011 Ginetta GT Supercup crown, with the team being reformed to run him in his second season in touring car competition.

Morgan’s father Russell has purchased the Toyota Avensis chassis that was raced by Frank Wrathall in 2011 from Dynojet Racing, with the Ciceley squad now set to build up the car in time for pre-season testing.

“We have a lot of work to do and a lot of stuff to sort out, but it should be great and I am really

looking forward to it,” Morgan said. “This is a family team and everyone likes really to get stuck in and to help out. We will be organising every aspect of every race weekend ourselves and that is something that we all enjoy doing. Obviously it’s a bit of a step up to touring cars, but we are going to give it a go: it all worked really well for us in 2011 in Ginettas.

“It’s a shame to be leaving Speedworks: they are a great bunch of lads and despite my not having had the best season’s racing they have been great at helping me out and keeping me focused and committed, so I really want to say a massive thank-you to them.

“Now we are going to crack on and hopefully

get the Toyota ready well before the season starts so we can get out testing. We would really like to get everything done well in advance and get five or six days of testing in the bag so that we are fully prepared and ready to go, and hopefully we can then hit the ground running.

“This year was a challenging one for me. I learned a great deal about the car and about set-up. I believe I showed that I have the pace to compete in the top ten. Now it is all about now getting the results.”

MORGAN SWITCHES TO FAMILY TEAM

SMITH GETS FIRST NGTC RUN


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Aron Smith has had his first taste of the NGTC-spec Ford Focus he hopes to race next season in a test at Brands Hatch.

Smith drove Motorbase’s S2000-based Ford all season and took his first victory on Finals Day to cap an impressive first full campaign.

The Irish driver was able to drive the NGTC car over the course of two days at the team’s home circuit and was impressed by its performance.

“As soon as I got into the NGTC I could immediately feel the difference from the S2000,” he said. “It’s got so much more grip, and as good as the car is in its current set up, you can tell that it’s still only running at about 70 per cent of what it’s capable of.

“I have no doubt that with some more testing and development over the winter, the Motorbase NGTC has the potential to beat the Hondas and MGs and win the Championship in

2013, and I’m working very hard to secure a deal to be in it!”

Rookie pairing sample Motorbase Ford

While Smith was driving the NGTC Focus, two rookie drivers were on track at Brands Hatch after being given the chance to sample the older S2000 Ford by Motorbase boss David Bartrum.

Jake Hill and Tom Grainger both spent time at the wheel of the older Ford during a day of running at the Kent circuit, with Bartrum saying he was pleased to given them the chance to sample the car.

“We’ve given a couple of young drivers, at different stages of their careers, a chance to sample a touring car,” he said. “We’re a Kent-based team and these are two young lads from Kent. Tom is starting out and Jake is battling to climb the racing ladder – neither of them is short of talent, just finance.

“They’ve both been a joy to work with; they’ve listened and followed instructions very well and done exactly what was asked of them. It doesn’t mean they will be touring car drivers for us next season, but it will give them an association with the team and it will give them experience of racing at that top level that they wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere.”

Hill is no stranger to the Motorbase team or to BTCC fans, having spent recent years competing on the TOCA package in both Ginetta Juniors and the Ginetta GT Supercup.

“Hardly anyone gets the chance to drive a touring car so I feel very privileged and grateful to David Bartrum and Motorbase for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “Considering this is my first time in a front wheel drive car, I’m quite pleased with how it’s gone! Everyone in the team has been really professional and helpful; Aron’s helped me massively with the car and Mat’s been giving me advice

on the track and the S2000 has been mega! I’ve loved every minute of it and can’t thank David and the team enough.”

Grainger meanwhile has been working with Motorbase on a voluntary basis two days a week while studying for a Motorsport Engineering qualification alongside a campaign racing in the MG Metro Cup.

“To be honest, I thought the test was a bit of a wind up!” he said. “When David said if you win the Metro Cup I’ll give you a test in the touring car I thought he was joking! It’s been an amazing experience, and one I never dreamed that I would get. “The test went really well, it was my first time ever on slicks and driving a car with a sequential gearbox so it took a little getting used to. It was a bit weird actually being in the car though; I’m usually the one taking the wheels off - not driving it!”

SMITH GETS FIRST NGTC RUN


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Having shown his speed from the moment he first joined the grid back in 2008, Andrew Jordan finally secured some championship silverware on Finals Days when he wrapped up the 2012 Independents’ title.

The Pirtek Racing man went into the season finale on top of the Indy standings ahead of Rob Collard and Mat Jackson and wrapped the title up with a race to spare when Collard was forced out of the second race at Brands Hatch following an accident on lap one.

In total, Jordan took eight Independent victories alongside an overall win at Snetterton to beat Collard to the title by 69 points while he also ended the campaign fourth in the overall standings having retained a slender chance of the championship right up to Finals Day.

However, with the Independents title having been the target at the start of the year, it was a case of mission accomplished for Jordan in his first season at the wheel of the NGTC-spec Honda Civic.

“I’m relieved to have done it more than anything,” he said.

“We did what we needed to do at Brands Hatch and got what we wanted at the end of it. I think the first race was the key moment for me as I knew after that that the title was pretty much secured. We’d had a tough weekend at Silverstone so it could have been a lot easier than it was, but when the first race was done, we knew it was there for the taking.

“The whole team has done well this season but there is always room for improvement and I think the aim for next year has to be to go for the overall title. You always have to aim for more than you have achieved already.”

Andrew’s championship success was a moment of huge proud for father Mike, who was once again responsible for overseeing the Pirtek Racing programme from the pit wall.

Having committed early to an NGTC programme, Pirtek was able to benefit from a close working relationship with the works Honda squad and Jordan Sr was understandably delighted with the end result after a campaign where he felt Andrew had come of age.

“I’m over the moon,” he said,

“and it shows that it was absolutely the right thing for us to do to go with the Honda. We were lucky that Pirtek committed to us for two years as it gave us the stability to go to the bank and borrow the money to buy the Honda and it also means we start in a good position next year with the car. There have been times when it has been difficult with the boost equalisation but everyone has their own story on that and at the end of the day, we have won the championship.

“If I’m being honest, I think this season has been the most complete he has had in the BTCC. Frankly his pace over a single lap has always been blinding but he just couldn’t grasp at first that the races were longer than his Rallycross ones were; there were four and half minutes whereas this is 25 minutes and he was trying too hard to get stuff done quickly.

“I doubt he will get much faster and in qualifying, I would seriously put him up against anyone in the same car. He has also improved when it comes to developing into a Matt Neal kind of character, where you know when you need to push and when you don’t want to stick

you nose in.”

As a team, Pirtek Racing also wrapped up the Independents’ team title ahead of Redstone Racing and eBay Motors and the team boss said the aim now had to be to challenge for overall honours next year.

“I guess it has to be,” he replied when asked if the main championship was the target for 2013. “We headed into the final round this season knowing that we weren’t going to win the overall title unless Gordon, Matt and Jason took each other off in every race and we took three wins, but we now have to aim for overall honours after winning the Independents.

“We want to defend out Indy title but also make a push for the overall championship although we know it won’t be easy against a team like Dynamics with the experience that they have. However, the team I have around me are brilliant and are great to work with. Working with these guys makes this job a pleasure.”

For Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing, the aim for 2013 is overall honours after wrapping up the Independents Championship...

JORDAN AIMS HIGH


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Defeated duo Matt Neal and Jason Plato have both praised Gordon Shedden after the Scot added his name to the list of BTCC champions on Finals Day.

The trio had all gone into the Brands Hatch weekend with a chance of becoming champion but it was Shedden who would come out on top – extending the 15 point lead he held before the weekend to take the title by 21 points.

Twelve months previously, Neal had beaten Shedden to the title at Silverstone before admitting he almost felt bad for lifting the championship at his team-mate’s expense.

The Honda duo had been closely matched all season before Neal’s title bid fell apart at Silverstone, where he failed to score in any of the three races.

Despite a strong performance on Finals Day, Neal would end the year second but admitted he was delighted to see Shedden clinch his maiden crown.

“Bar Silverstone I had a great year,” he said. “I was an outsider going into the finale. Flash and I have been nip and tuck all season and I knew it would be a tall order. We stole a few points in the first race but gained weight for race two and I couldn’t have done much more. I had a first, a second and a third at the final meeting but Silverstone killed me – that is the long and short of it.

“However, I’m over the moon for Gordon; I find it easier to take this year with him winning it than I did last year. He really deserves the

championship as he has been quick all year, but he has also been humble at the same time.

“Flash is a good team-mate but is also a good mate, and its great to see him win the title as a friend.”

Heading into Finals Day, Shedden’s closest challenger in the points had been Plato after the MG man took a double win in the penultimate meeting of the year at Silverstone.

Despite scoring more pole positions than anyone else, and being second to Shedden in terms of race wins, a number of retirements would cost the 2001 and 2010 title winner dear.

However, like arch-rival Neal, Plato was full of praise for the new

champion.

“Gordon is a bloody good driver and he deserves to win this year,” he said. “It’s funny as if you look back at any season in motorsport and see who has won the championship, there are always some iconic moments that stand out.

“Gordon has produced some of those moments this year, which is the sign of someone at the top of his game. They are moments we’ll look back at in 20 years time and remember so I’m really chuffed for him. He’s put a proper campaign together this season and when it comes to fighting for the title in future, he will be a pain in the arse until the day I retire! But we’ll have him next year…”

Matt Neal and Jason Plato praise Gordon Shedden on the back of his title success...

TITLE RIVALS PRAISE NEW CHAMPION


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Matt Neal and Jason Plato praise Gordon Shedden on the back of his title success...

TITLE RIVALS PRAISE NEW CHAMPION


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Bennetts calls for NGTC clarification

WSR chief Dick Bennetts has reiterated his call for clarification about the NGTC regulations as his team continues to evaluate its options for the 2013 season.

The team emerged as the best of the S2000 runners this season running under the eBay Motors banner, with Rob Collard fifth overall and the team beaten only by Honda in the HiQ Teams’ Championship.

Bennetts has made no secret of his desire to go down the NGTC route next year, with one of the team’s BMWs having already been sold and the remaining two on the market.

However, he admits that there needs to be ‘leeway in the regulations’ when it comes to the development of a rear-wheel drive car built to the Next Generation rules – with his preferred option being to run BMWs again in 2013.

That comes despite the fact that the Audi A4s run by Rob Austin Racing have been developed to run with rear-wheel drive.

“Our aim is to build NGTC cars, three of them, for next season,” he said. “However, to do that we need to find some more money, and we also need some clarification on the regulations.

“Our concern surrounds the fact that there needs to be more leeway in the regulations for a rear-wheel drive car. Everyone can see that the rules were based on a Toyota [with the Avensis having been the prototype model developed by TOCA - ed] and those rules have been adopted by another team in order to build a rear-wheel drive car.

“From what we can see, we do not plan – and will not – build a car like that as it is wasting money. There needs to be leeway to build a proper NGTC car with rear-wheel drive and not one that has to fit rules that aren’t designed for it.”

Griffin calls time on BTCC career

Liam Griffin has elected to call time on his BTCC career after two seasons.

The former VW Cup and Porsche Carerra Cup GB racer

joined the grid at the start of 2011 with Motorbase, finishing 21st in the championship last year and then taking the same position this year despite missing the events at Snetterton, Knockhill and Rockingham.

In all, Griffin took part in 51 races, with a best finish of eight at Oulton Park earlier this season.

“2012 has been a tough season for me, but I was glad to finish the last round at Brands on a bit of a high in what were very tough conditions,” he said. “To be part of the BTCC has been a dream come true. It’s a great championship and unbelievably competitive; it’s not until you race that you realise just how good these guys are!

“Despite never really achieving the competitiveness that I had hoped for, I’ve had a great time being part of the BTCC over the last two seasons, but this was never going to be a career move for me and the time’s now right for me to move on to something a little more gentlemanly. “Motorbase and Redstone Racing have been a fantastic

team to be involved with, everyone involved is passionate about the team and there’s a genuine camaraderie that I’ll miss. I’ve watched them grow as a team over the past three years into one of the leading teams in the BTCC.

“They have one of the best drivers in the championship in Mat Jackson and also probably the most talented youngster in Aron Smith, and with the addition of the new NGTC Focus, I have no doubt that they’ve a genuine chance of winning the Championship and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Hughes bows out with points finish

Griffin wasn’t the only driver to end his BTCC career at Brands Hatch, with Tony Hughes also competing in the series for the final time.

The Speedworks driver finished in the points on eighth occasions over the course of the season – including in the final race of the season – and took a best finish of twelfth on home soil at Oulton Park.

Hughes, who owns the Toyota Avensis that he has raced

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for the past two seasons, is eager to try and help put together a deal for Paul O’Neill to race the car next year after he impressed in outings at Croft and Knockhill this season.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could cut it amongst some of the best drivers in the country,” Hughes said. “Following a tough first season of development, we got some proper mileage under our belts and worked on the set-up on the car. Add to that the experience that I’ve gained and my pace has developed as a result.

“It’s a shame I never quite made it into the top ten, as I’ve always said it would have been like getting on the podium for me. I set out on this journey wanting to prove to myself that I could compete at the highest level of British motorsport, and I reckon in the end I’ve done ok.”

Newsham takes Fans Trophy

Dave Newsham has taken the Fans Trophy award as voted for by visitors to the official BTCC website.

The Team ES Racing man,

who won on two occasions at the wheel of his Vauxhall Vectra in 2012, became the fifth winner of the award after Mat Jackson, Paul O’Neill, Shaun Hollamby and Frank Wrathall.

Newsham was presented with the Fans Trophy during the Brands Hatch weekend by fan Charlie Jobson, who was one of those fans to vote fro the former Clio Cup champion.

“I’m delighted but also stunned,” he said. “To have one of motor sport’s most passionate and knowledgeable bunch of fans anywhere in the world pick you as their favourite is a real honour.

“The trophy will be sitting very proudly alongside any trophy I’ve ever won in a race!”

Official season review goes on sale

The official BTCC season review DVD has gone on sale ahead of its release later this month.

The twin-disc offering will run to more than seven hours and tells the story of how the 2012 title was won after another dramatic season of

competition.

Fans of the BTCC can benefit from a special deal on the Duke Video website, where using the promotional code BTCC12 will bring the cost of the DVD down to just £14.99. Free delivery is also included.

S2000 drivers to fight for Jack Sears Trophy

Drivers using S2000 cars next season will do battle to secure the Jack Sears Trophy after series bosses elected to honour the man who won the first ever championship crown.

While NGTC-spec cars will become the dominant force next year, S2000 cars remain eligible to compete in the series albeit without the performance parity they enjoyed in 2012.

Series bosses had previously announced that they would present a cup to the highest-finishing S2000 runner in each race next year and it has now been confirmed that whoever wins the most cups over the course of the season will then pick up the Jack Sears trophy at the end of the year.

“Ultimately the driver with the most ‘cups’ will be awarded the Jack Sears Trophy at the end of the season – named, fittingly, in recognition of not only a great double BTCC Champion but also the BTCC’s first ever Champion (in 1958),” series boss Alan Gow said. “To receive the trophy from a true legend like Jack will be a real privilege for the winner…”

Sears himself, who won a second title in 1963 to add to the crown he won in a dramatic tie-break event at Brands Hatch in 1958, said he was honoured to have the trophy named after him. “It’ll be 55 years since I won my first title and 50 since I was fortunate enough to win it a second time – I feel very honoured that the championship wants to create a trophy in my name after all these years,” he said. “It’s certainly a championship that values its heritage. “The cars of course have improved hugely in that time and the S2000s have provided great entertainment and variety. It’s good to retain a type of car that has been successful and I’m sure, even though smaller in numbers in 2013, the

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S2000 runners will continue to put on a great show for the public. I very much look forward to presenting the trophy to the deserving winner next October on Finals Day at Brands Hatch – scene of my first title all those years ago.”

Series revises boost regulations

Revisions are to be made to the boost regulations in place in the BTCC for 2013 with the unanimous agreement of the competing teams. A lap-time based adjustment will again be used next season but with some tweaks to the system compared to the one that was used during the course of 2012. The amount of change, either or up down, will be reduced from the current level to ensure there aren’t such radical changes from one event to the next, while the adjustments will now apply to an individual team or driver (which is still to be determined) rather than to a model of car. Series bosses will also look into the frequency in which adjustments are made as opposed to the two-event rolling average currently

used. “As with almost any regulation, particularly new ones, they are ‘tweaked’ based on experience gained – and that’s exactly what we are doing here,” series boss Alan Gow said. “As well, with S2000 cars now not having strict performance parity, the baseline boost levels on NGTC cars can increase and thus the profile of the calculation can alter. “All the teams endorsed that the fundamental aspect of using the lap time analysis was the right way to go, but that we should refine those three areas in particular. In the coming weeks a working group, comprising a representative cross-section of the teams, will finalise those exact details.” Dunlop to bring in new tyre

Dunlop will bring in a new soft compound tyre for the 2013 season in a move which will add a fresh strategic element to the racing action. Each team running an NGTC-spec car will have a set of the new softer compound tyres which must be used in one of the three races on a weekend, with teams

nominating which race they will run the tyre in prior to qualifying. Special markings will show when the tyre is being used, although the first time rival teams will be aware is when a car heads onto the grid. “This set of softer compound tyres is part of each driver’s normal 16 per-meeting Dunlop tyre allocation, so there is no increase in the amount of tyres used,” Gow said. “The real twist is that prior to qualifying they must nominate the actual race in which they are going to use them the next day – in that way they won’t be able to use them to merely make up for a poor qualifying or race performance, for example. “It’s sure to provide some fascinating race day strategies, as each team won’t know what their opposition are doing until they head out onto the grid. “All our teams enthusiastically supported this new regulation at a recent meeting and I’m sure the spectators will love this new element. I’d like to thank Dunlop for its technical expertise in helping to add yet another exciting dimension to our races.”

If the race in which the driver has elected to use the ‘softs’ is wet, they must use them in the next available dry race on that same day. The tyre cannot be used in qualifying.

Three strikes and you’re out

A new penalty rule will be brought in in 2012 to try and improve driving standards.

Any driver handed three penalties for on-track driving infringments – from a reprimand upwards – will be given an automatic six place grid drop, which will be taken at the next available opportunity. A similar grid drop will again come into play if a further three penalties are picked up.

Rob Collard, Jason Plato, Jeff Smith and Andrew Jordan would have picked up a grid drop if the rule had been in place in 2012.

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Jason Plato has vowed to win a third BTCC title next year after failing in his bid to overhaul Gordon Shedden for the crown on Finals Day at Brands Hatch.

The MG driver arrived in Kent as Shedden’s closest challenger in the points thanks to a fine double victory at Silverstone, which brought him to within 15 points of the Scot ahead of the final three races of the year.

While confidence was on a high ahead of the meeting - on a circuit where Plato had famously won three times in a day back in 2009 while driving a Chevrolet Lacetti – rain on race day would prove to be his undoing, with the MG6 GT unable to match the Honda Civic in the wet conditions.

The end result was that

Plato could only take a best finish of fifth on Finals Day as he slipped to third in the standings but there was still a sense of pride for the 2001 and 2010 champion at the performance shown by the Triple Eight-run car, which wasn’t even in a position to run at the annual Media Day just weeks before the season opener but would go on set five pole positions and secure six wins.

“I’m really proud of the whole team this season,” he said. “We came into this season with a last minute job, no testing and we went out and won on our debut. The only person who managed to win more races than us is Gordon Shedden, I scored more pole positions than anyone else and even though we had more mechanical failures than our rivals, we were still in

with a shout when it came to Finals Day.

“In all honesty, while we talked a big game with you guys in the media on the Sunday morning, we knew we were knackered when it was wet as we haven’t managed to get the car working in those conditions, but overall I’m happy with how the season panned out.

“What we have to take away from 2012 is that we have engaged with the fans better than anyone else in the paddock, have brought in a new manufacturer and we have the best sponsors in the business – including Tesco who are a big brand, have had a great year and are already looking forward to 2013.”

While the MG has become a proven race winner this season in Plato’s hands,

the same can’t be said for team-mate Andy Neate, who endured a more troubled campaign in the sister car. That however is down in no small part to the fact that the team has only been able to show a fraction of what the car is capable of – with team boss Ian Harrison insisting that Triple Eight is ‘probably only 30 per cent there’ in unlocking the potential that lies within.

“There are tons still to come,” Plato agreed. “What you have to remember is that the car wasn’t developed in a wind tunnel, didn’t have a CFD programme on it and has done little in the way of testing. We have only deviated from the straight and narrow a little bit which you just can’t do; you have to explore all of the little avenues. What we have done this season is the best we could do

PLATO, MG VOW TO BOUNCE BACK Jason Plato and the MG

KX Momentum team vow to beat Honda to the 2013 BTCC title after missing out on 2012 honours...


in the time we had, and we have got the car into a position where it is a pretty quick in the dry, although it’s still a bugger to drive if I’m being honest and that is why Andy has struggled with it a bit.

“We know there is work to be done in the wet but the potential is there. The team of people we have are clever enough and skilled enough to turn the MG into a championship-winning car and what we have done this season with the tools at our disposal is nothing short of remarkable.

“I’m very confident about the future. You saw peoples faces at Silverstone – they were quaking in their boots and quite rightly so. We now have to get the car sorted in the wet and if we do that, they better be

worried…”

Plato’s run to third place in the championship came despite him failing to finish no fewer than six times over the course of the campaign – a penalty that it was ultimately too hard for him to overcome.

While clashes with Rob Collard at Donington and Aron Smith at Knockhill led to two of those retirements, the other four all stemmed from mechanical failures – three of which prevented him from even starting a race and one, at Silverstone, which robbed him of what looked like being a certain victory.

That, team boss Harrison insists, is something that can’t be repeated next year if Plato is to launch a bid for a third title, with plenty to be done over the winter to ensure the team

hits the ground running in 2013.

“I’m very proud of the team and I’m proud of the way in which all of our sponsors have supported us,” he said. “Jason was a key player in pulling all this together and it’s been good. The crew has worked diligently and in that respect, we couldn’t have done more. We don’t understand the car, especially in the wet, and we need to sort that out, as we don’t have a handle on it in those conditions.

“However, we have been let down by engine issues in key areas and there were three weekends where we had to sit out racing. If we hadn’t had those issues, it might have looked a bit different. If, if, if; it’s a big word, but when they are things you have no direct influence over,

you cant ignore them. If we’d started those races and got seven points from each, and hadn’t been forced out while leading at Silverstone, we might have wrapped the championship up.

“We’ve had a snap-shot of the potential in the MG this season but we have a lot to do over the winter. We’ll work hard but you don’t know how good your car is until you get on the grid for race one and see what your rivals have done. There are always things that you wish you had done, or which you had done differently and minimising the amount of times we have to ask ourselves those questions will help determine how quick the car is next season.”

PLATO, MG VOW TO BOUNCE BACK

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With the season at an end, we count down our top ten drivers from the 2012 British Touring Car Championship

The 2012 BTCC season turned out to be one full of drama as Gordon Shedden became champion for the first time after 30 action packed races at nine circuits around the UK.

There were plenty of highlights and lowlights for the 28 drivers who raced over the course of the season but with the racing at an end, it’s time for us to count down our top ten drivers of the year…

OUR TOP 10OF 2012...

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10. Tom Onslow-ColeTeam: eBay MotorsChampionship position: Sixth – 281 pointsWins: 0

Returning to the team that gave him his BTCC debut, Onslow-Cole ended the season as the highest-placed driver not to taste the victory champagne despite taking to the podium on seven occasions. Although he started the season with a third place finish in race one, it took time for TOC to get fully comfortable with his return to rear-wheel drive and he was unlucky not to get at least one win. His pole on Finals Day was impressive while seven fastest laps showed the speed was there.

9. Frank WrathallTeam: DynojetChampionship position: Tenth – 173 pointsWins: 1

With a new car for his second season, Wrathall found himself effectively starting with a fresh sheet of paper in 2012 but there was little doubt that the pace was there – as seen by the fact that he ended the year as the fifth best qualifier and took a pole as impressive as any seen all season at Snetterton. Race days would prove to be frustrating however with just two podium finishes – at Thruxton and Snetterton – before the final race of the year, where he secured his breakthrough victory. It meant a top ten championship finish, although the Lancashire racer will hope for more in 2013.

8. Mat JacksonTeam: Redstone RacingChampionship position: Seventh – 274 pointsWins: 3

Jackson looked like he could be a real title contender in the opening rounds of the season, taking impressive victories at Donington Park and Thruxton (and losing another win at Donington due to a boost issue). However, as the season reached the half-way point, it had become apparent that the NGTC-spec cars had hit their sweet spot sooner than the Motorbase squad had expected, with the team building up its own car for Jackson to race in the second half of the year. As a result, his job then switched to developing the car for 2013 with an impressive weekend at Silverstone given an indication of what is to come.

7. Dave NewshamTeam: Team ES RacingChampionship position: Ninth – 202 pointsWins: 2

There were raised eyebrows when Newsham decided to team up with 2011 backmarkers ES Racing for his second season but it proved to be a wise move after the team acquired proven cars in the ex-Triple Eight Vectras. Showing his media day pace was no fluke with pole at Brands Hatch for the opening round, Newsham was unlucky to be taken out by Plato while dicing for the lead. Despite one of the smaller budgets on the grid, there were six podium finishes in all including Snetterton and Knockhill, where he made the most of the reverse grid to clinch a pair of impressive wins.

With the season at an end, we count down our top ten drivers from the 2012 British Touring Car Championship

The 2012 BTCC season turned out to be one full of drama as Gordon Shedden became champion for the first time after 30 action packed races at nine circuits around the UK.

There were plenty of highlights and lowlights for the 28 drivers who raced over the course of the season but with the racing at an end, it’s time for us to count down our top ten drivers of the year…


6. Aron SmithTeam: Redstone RacingChampionship position: Eighth – 204 pointsWins: 1

If the season had started at Knockhill, Smith would have been a true contender for honours. The Irish racer had taken just one top six finish prior to the trip to Scotland but in the final twelve races of the year, he would bring his S2000-based Ford him inside the top six on nine occasions. Having battled to a breakthrough podium at Silverstone, his performance in race two on Finals Days - where he secured his maiden win - marked him out as one to watch for the future.

5. Andrew JordanTeam: Pirtek RacingChampionship position: Fourth – 346 pointsWins: 1

The qualifying averages showed Jordan’s real strength in 2012, with Plato the only man to be ahead of the Pirtek Racing driver at the end of the year. Indeed, Jordan only failed to qualify on the front two rows on two occasions all season but could only convert that to one victory. The youngster raced strongly throughout the campaign however, most notably in the first half of the year when he was only outside the top six on three occasions. Although he remained in title contention throughout, Jordan’s main focus was on the Independents’ championship, which he successfully wrapped up on Finals Day.

4. Rob CollardTeam: eBay MotorsChampionship position: Fifth – 303 pointsWins: 3

Collard’s best season to date in the BTCC ended with him fifth in the championship having emerged as the top driver to be running an S2000-based car. From the outset, he was on the pace with WSR’s newly-turboed BMW and won first time out. Strong starts were a given all season with the rear-wheel drive car although he wasn’t always able to build on those starts as the team struggled to get the same performance from the 17 inch tyres that the NGTC runners could get from their 18 inch rubber. Knockhill showed Collard at his best as he qualified on the front row and won twice with a showing he felt was the strongest of his career.


3. Matt NealTeam: Honda Yuasa RacingChampionship position: Second – 387 pointsWins: 5

As defending champion, Neal was the man everyone else wanted to beat going into the new season and there was little surprise to see the Honda man emerge as one of the championship contenders. Things started well when he became the first driver to win with an NGTC car and four other wins would follow in what turned out to be a nip and tuck battle with Shedden at the top. Neal was vocal on his views on boost levels but ultimately it would be a disastrous weekend at Silverstone that would end his chances as he failed to finish any of the three races and dropped out of contention. However, he was still happy at the season’s end having seen his close friend Shedden crowned.

2. Jason PlatoTeam: MG KX Momentum RacingChampionship position: Third – 376 pointsWins: 6

Plato’s switch to Triple Eight with the MG6 came at such a late stage that there was no in-depth testing programme before the season started, but that didn’t stop him from launching a bid for the crown. Although he won at Brands Hatch in just the second race for the car, it was in the second half of the season that the MG really came to the fore – albeit only in dry conditions. Finals Day was a sign that more work is needed in the wet, while a series of technical issues prevented him from possibly beating Shedden to the crown. There is little doubt however that the Plato/MG combination will be strong in 2013.


NUMBER ONE.

GORDONSHEDDENTeam: Honda Yuasa RacingChampionship position: First – 408 pointsWins: 8

With more wins than anyone else in 2012, few would argue that Shedden wasn’t a deserving champion although the Scot certainly didn’t have an easy ride to his first championship crown. The Honda man suffered more than his fair share of bad luck – such as at Snetterton where his car caught fire in practice – but he battled back from anything that was thrown at him with a series of strong performances on race day. Six of his wins came in the first half of the year, including fine doubles at Donington and Thruxton, while the second half of the campaign was all about picking up the points needed to see of his challengers. A popular championship winner, don’t be surprised if Shedden’s name appears on the title trophy again in future.


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BTCC TEAMS

Honda Yuasa Racing @HondaRacingBTCCMG KX Momentum Racing @official888raceRedstone Racing @RedstoneRacingeBay Motors @ebaymotorsbtccWelch Motorsport @WelchMotorsportES Racing @teamESracingRob Austin Racing @RobAustinRacingSpeedworks @SpeedworksMSAmDTuning.com @AmDessexPirtek Racing @andyjordanBTCCThorney Motorsport @ThorneyMSToyota @ToyotaBTCCMG @MGMotor

directorya who’s who of btcc on twitter...

BTCC DRIVERS

Matt Neal @MattNealRacingMat Jackson @mat_jacksonAron Smith @AronSmith_Rob Collard @CollardRobFrank Wrathall @FrankWrathallDan Welch @BTCCDanWelchRob Austin @RobertoAustiniWill Bratt @WBrattRacingDave Newsham @NewshamRacingNick Foster @NickFos44109596Howard Fuller @HKFRacingPaul O’Neill @PaulONeill29Adam Morgan @AdamMorgan33Tony Gilham @TonyGilhamTom Onslow-Cole @TomOnslowColeRobb Holland @RobbHolland3Lea Wood @TeamWoodRacingAndy Neate @AndyNeateTony Hughes @TonyHughesBTCCGordon Shedden @GordonSheddenAndrew Jordan @AndrewJordan77Jason Plato @JasonPlato

AND A FEW MORE...

Official BTCC @DunlopBTCCInside BTCC @InsideBTCCTin Top Tuesday @TinTopTuesdayAlan Hyde @AlanHydeStudioTalking Point @TPBroadcastingITV @ITVtouringcarsToby Moody @TobyMoodyRichard John Neill @richardjneilTim Harvey @TimHarvey7Unlap @unlapBrands Hatch @Brands_HatchOulton Park @Oulton_ParkSnetterton @SnettertonMSVSilverstone @SilverstoneUKRockingham @RockinghamUKKnockhill @krcircuitCroft @Croft_CircuitThruxton @thruxtonracingDonington Park @DoningtonParkUK


2013 BTCC CALENDAR30-31 March, Brands Hatch Indy20-21 April, Donington Park National4-5 May, Thruxton8-9 June, Oulton Park Island22-23 June, Croft3-4 August, Snetterton 30024-25 August, Knockhill14-15 September, Rockingham28-29 September, Silverstone12-13 October, Brands Hatch GP

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RACE FOR THE TITLEFINAL 2012 BTCC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP MANUFACTURER/CONSTRUCTOR INDEPENDENT DRIVERS INDEPENDENT TEAMS

1 Gordon Shedden 408 1 Honda/Dynamics 902 1 Andrew Jordan 425 1 Pirtek Racing 4752 Matt Neal 387 2 MG/Triple Eight 722 2 Rob Collard 356 2 Redstone Racing 4663 Jason Plato 376 3 Tom Onslow-Cole 343 3 eBay Motors 4614 Andrew Jordan 346 TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP 4 Mat Jackson 338 4 Team ES Racing 3265 Rob Collard 303 1 Honda Yuasa Racing 738 5 Aron Smith 257 5 Dynojet 2596 Tom Onslow-Cole 281 2 eBay Motors 607 6 Dave Newsham 247 6 Speedworks 2547 Mat Jackson 274 3 Pirtek Racing 509 7 Nick Foster 239 7 BINZ Racing 2288 Aron Smith 204 4 Redstone Racing 502 8 Frank Wrathall 236 8 Team HARD 2209 Dave Newsham 202 5 MG KX Momentum Racing 446 9 Jeff Smith 222 9 WixRacing.co.uk 19910 Frank Wrathall 173 6 Team ES Racing.com 242 10 Lea Wood 178 10 Welch Motorsport 16311 Nick Foster 164 7 Dynojet 166 11 Rob Austin 172 11 AmDTuning.com 16212 Jeff Smith 157 8 WixRacing.co.uk 126 12 Dan Welch 122 12 Thorney Motorsport 1913 Rob Austin 122 9 BINZ Racing 122 13 Ollie Jackson 11514 Lea Wood 116 10 Speedworks 121 14 Tony Gilham 11115 Dan Welch 79 11 Team HARD 100 15 Adam Morgan 8316 Andy Neate 79 12 Welch Motorsport 85 16 Chris James 7717 Tony Gilham 71 13 AmDTuning.com 71 17 Liam Griffin 7218 Ollie Jackson 61 14 Thorney Motorsport 3 18 Tony Hughes 7219 Adam Morgan 50 19 Will Bratt 6420 Will Bratt 38 20 Paul O’Neill 4621 Liam Griffin 37 21 Howard Fuller 3122 Paul O’Neill 36 22 Robb Holland 1723 Chris James 26 23 Aaron Williamson 624 Howard Fuller 16 24 John Thorne 525 Tony Hughes 1426 Robb Holland 627 Aaron Williamson 228 John Thorne 0


THE SEASONRACE-BY-RACE RESULTS FOR THE 2012 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Matt Neal 2 1 7 3 2 DNF 10 5 2 1 5 1 1 2 4 4 4 8 7 8 3 6 2 2 DNF DNF DNF 1 3 2

Mat Jackson 7 4 DNF 1 3 EXC 1 3 6 5 DNF 7 8 DNF 12 8 6 4 5 DNF 10 4 4 6 DNF 1 2 DNF 7 DNF

Aron Smith DNF DNF 8 8 9 11 7 8 14 DNF 16 DNF 10 DNF DNF 14 10 6 4 6 8 DNF 6 5 3 4 9 4 1 5

Liam Griffin 14 12 11 DNF DNF 14 DNF 17 12 DNF 8 DNF 14 14 DNF / / / / / / / / / DNF 13 DNF 19 13 14

Rob Collard 1 6 6 10 8 4 4 7 7 3 14 6 2 5 5 DNF DNC 9 1 1 9 5 11 13 4 2 3 6 DNF 19

Frank Wrathall DNF DNS 13 9 14 7 5 4 3 12 17 9 DNF 8 15 2 5 7 DNF DNS DNS 11 5 12 DNF 12 DNF DNF 6 1

Dan Welch 17 11 DNF 12 DNF 8 DNF DNS DNS 6 4 DNF DNF 17 10 5 17 12 12 DNF 12 / / / DNF 8 14 16 DNF DNF

Rob Austin 8 5 5 DNF DNS DNS DNF 18 13 / / / 5 3 7 12 DNF DNF / / / 9 16 10 5 5 EXC 17 10 7

Will Bratt / / / / / / / / / 8 DNF 11 9 18 DNF / / / / / / DNF DNF 15 13 DNF 13 9 DNF 12

Dave Newsham DNF 9 3 7 4 DNF 2 6 18 DNF 10 DNF DNF 12 16 EXC 8 1 11 10 1 12 15 DNF 2 3 DNF 7 DNF 6

Nick Foster 9 DNF DNS 11 11 12 14 14 11 9 6 8 18 10 8 11 13 13 8 5 7 10 10 9 6 10 4 15 14 13

Howard Fuller / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 14 12 16 11 DNC 11 / / /

Aaron Williamson / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 14 DNF DNS

Paul O’Neill / / / / / / / / / / / / 17 DNF 13 / / / 6 4 6 / / / / / / / / /

Adam Morgan DNF DNS DNF 15 13 DNF DNF DNC DNF DNF DNF DNF 15 20 14 DNF DNF 10 10 DNF 11 DNC 9 11 16 14 8 12 DNF DNS

Tony Gilham 18 13 10 14 7 3 11 9 DNF DNF 11 10 12 11 DNF 13 DNF DNF / / / / / / DNF DNF DNF DNF DNC 16

Robb Holland / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / DNF 14 17 DNF 14 14 / / / / / / / / /

Tom Onslow-Cole 3 10 DNF 5 10 9 8 13 10 DNF 9 3 7 6 2 6 7 2 2 2 5 8 14 7 10 6 5 3 15 10

Lea Wood 11 15 9 DNF 15 10 9 12 8 10 7 5 13 19 DNF 9 9 DNF DNF 13 13 / / / 9 16 15 11 9 9

Andy Neate 12 14 14 16 12 DNF 16 16 DNF 7 DNF DNF 6 9 9 15 12 15 DNF 12 15 7 DNF 14 12 18 DNF 13 12 DNF

Ollie Jackson 13 8 DNF DNC DNS DNS 12 15 15 11 15 15 11 15 DNF DNF 15 14 / / / DNC 8 8 14 DNC 16 DNF 11 11

Tony Hughes 16 16 15 DNF 16 15 DNC 19 16 13 12 14 / / / 16 16 16 / / / 15 17 17 15 17 17 20 17 15

Gordon Shedden 5 DNF EXC 2 1 1 6 1 1 4 1 4 3 1 6 7 2 EXC 3 3 DNF 3 1 1 7 7 6 5 2 3

Jeff Smith 10 7 4 13 6 5 13 11 9 DNF DNS 12 DNF 13 11 10 11 11 14 9 2 DNF 13 DNF 8 11 10 10 8 17

John Thorne DNF 17 16 DNS DNS DNS / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Andrew Jordan 6 2 2 6 5 6 DNF 10 5 2 2 DNF 4 4 3 3 1 5 9 7 4 2 7 4 DNF 9 7 2 4 4

Chris James 15 DNF 12 17 DNF 13 15 DNS 17 DNF 13 13 16 16 17 DNF DNF DNF 13 DNF 16 13 18 DNF DNF 15 12 18 16 18

Jason Plato 4 3 1 4 DNC 2 3 2 4 DNC 3 2 DNC 7 1 1 3 3 DNF 11 DNF 1 3 3 1 DNF 1 8 5 8


RACE-BY-RACE RESULTS FOR THE 2012 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

IS OVER1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Matt Neal 2 1 7 3 2 DNF 10 5 2 1 5 1 1 2 4 4 4 8 7 8 3 6 2 2 DNF DNF DNF 1 3 2

Mat Jackson 7 4 DNF 1 3 EXC 1 3 6 5 DNF 7 8 DNF 12 8 6 4 5 DNF 10 4 4 6 DNF 1 2 DNF 7 DNF

Aron Smith DNF DNF 8 8 9 11 7 8 14 DNF 16 DNF 10 DNF DNF 14 10 6 4 6 8 DNF 6 5 3 4 9 4 1 5

Liam Griffin 14 12 11 DNF DNF 14 DNF 17 12 DNF 8 DNF 14 14 DNF / / / / / / / / / DNF 13 DNF 19 13 14

Rob Collard 1 6 6 10 8 4 4 7 7 3 14 6 2 5 5 DNF DNC 9 1 1 9 5 11 13 4 2 3 6 DNF 19

Frank Wrathall DNF DNS 13 9 14 7 5 4 3 12 17 9 DNF 8 15 2 5 7 DNF DNS DNS 11 5 12 DNF 12 DNF DNF 6 1

Dan Welch 17 11 DNF 12 DNF 8 DNF DNS DNS 6 4 DNF DNF 17 10 5 17 12 12 DNF 12 / / / DNF 8 14 16 DNF DNF

Rob Austin 8 5 5 DNF DNS DNS DNF 18 13 / / / 5 3 7 12 DNF DNF / / / 9 16 10 5 5 EXC 17 10 7

Will Bratt / / / / / / / / / 8 DNF 11 9 18 DNF / / / / / / DNF DNF 15 13 DNF 13 9 DNF 12

Dave Newsham DNF 9 3 7 4 DNF 2 6 18 DNF 10 DNF DNF 12 16 EXC 8 1 11 10 1 12 15 DNF 2 3 DNF 7 DNF 6

Nick Foster 9 DNF DNS 11 11 12 14 14 11 9 6 8 18 10 8 11 13 13 8 5 7 10 10 9 6 10 4 15 14 13

Howard Fuller / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 14 12 16 11 DNC 11 / / /

Aaron Williamson / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 14 DNF DNS

Paul O’Neill / / / / / / / / / / / / 17 DNF 13 / / / 6 4 6 / / / / / / / / /

Adam Morgan DNF DNS DNF 15 13 DNF DNF DNC DNF DNF DNF DNF 15 20 14 DNF DNF 10 10 DNF 11 DNC 9 11 16 14 8 12 DNF DNS

Tony Gilham 18 13 10 14 7 3 11 9 DNF DNF 11 10 12 11 DNF 13 DNF DNF / / / / / / DNF DNF DNF DNF DNC 16

Robb Holland / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / DNF 14 17 DNF 14 14 / / / / / / / / /

Tom Onslow-Cole 3 10 DNF 5 10 9 8 13 10 DNF 9 3 7 6 2 6 7 2 2 2 5 8 14 7 10 6 5 3 15 10

Lea Wood 11 15 9 DNF 15 10 9 12 8 10 7 5 13 19 DNF 9 9 DNF DNF 13 13 / / / 9 16 15 11 9 9

Andy Neate 12 14 14 16 12 DNF 16 16 DNF 7 DNF DNF 6 9 9 15 12 15 DNF 12 15 7 DNF 14 12 18 DNF 13 12 DNF

Ollie Jackson 13 8 DNF DNC DNS DNS 12 15 15 11 15 15 11 15 DNF DNF 15 14 / / / DNC 8 8 14 DNC 16 DNF 11 11

Tony Hughes 16 16 15 DNF 16 15 DNC 19 16 13 12 14 / / / 16 16 16 / / / 15 17 17 15 17 17 20 17 15

Gordon Shedden 5 DNF EXC 2 1 1 6 1 1 4 1 4 3 1 6 7 2 EXC 3 3 DNF 3 1 1 7 7 6 5 2 3

Jeff Smith 10 7 4 13 6 5 13 11 9 DNF DNS 12 DNF 13 11 10 11 11 14 9 2 DNF 13 DNF 8 11 10 10 8 17

John Thorne DNF 17 16 DNS DNS DNS / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Andrew Jordan 6 2 2 6 5 6 DNF 10 5 2 2 DNF 4 4 3 3 1 5 9 7 4 2 7 4 DNF 9 7 2 4 4

Chris James 15 DNF 12 17 DNF 13 15 DNS 17 DNF 13 13 16 16 17 DNF DNF DNF 13 DNF 16 13 18 DNF DNF 15 12 18 16 18

Jason Plato 4 3 1 4 DNC 2 3 2 4 DNC 3 2 DNC 7 1 1 3 3 DNF 11 DNF 1 3 3 1 DNF 1 8 5 8

inside btcc - issue 17 - 2012 season review

Documents

btcc title

bumper edition of inside

new champion

championship title

independents champion

title battles

honda driver

shedden wasnt