Gordon Shedden held off the title chasing Team BMW duo of Rob Collard and Colin Turkington to take victory in the final Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Snetterton. There was heartache for long-time leader Andrew Jordan when his BMW slowed dramatically with a mechanical problem with just two laps to go.
BMW Pirtek Racing driver Jordan had taken the lead from pole-sitter James Cole off the line, but quickly had to contend with the fellow BMWs of Turkington and Collard, as well as reigning champion Shedden.
When the dust settled behind Jordan it was Shedden’s Honda Civic Type R in second, after he had swapped positions with Collard’s BMW 125i M Sport.
The hugely experienced trio then kept Jordan honest throughout the contest, but the 2013 champion seemed certain to claim victory and reignite his title challenge. It wasn't to be, however, as his car slowed without warning on lap ten. Shedden and the other BMWs immediately flew past and a desolate Jordan limped around to finish a cruel and lowly 22nd.
In the final two laps it was more of a question as to who would finish second with Collard and Turkington squabbling in their Bavarian machines, which allowed Shedden to cruise home in relative comfort. Despite this being a tough weekend for the Scotsman, the victory has helped him to return to the championship summit as earlier standings leader – Ash Sutton – retired due to a lap one collision.
"This just seemed so unlikely after yesterday," said Shedden. "We’ve had our dramas this weekend and we’ve just been trying to plug away. It was really unexpected and doubly so with the pressure from the BMWs. It didn’t do me any harm when they started battling each other. The car felt a bit lively at the end there but it did the job and gave us what we needed this weekend.
"It felt a million miles away yesterday in qualifying so I’m ecstatic. Andy (Jordan) was driving a really good race, he was quick and was looking after the tyres so obviously when he stopped I just thought ‘get going and get your head down’. We’re off up to God’s country in two weeks’ time and home turf at Knockhill!"
Despite falling short of the top step of the rostrum both Collard and Turkington were pleased with their results. "Second is great – we’ve done really well all weekend and I’m so pleased for BMW," confirmed Collard, whilst Turkington responded, "It’s been a good haul of points and podiums for BMW and it’s been a great weekend for us."
Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo's Mat Jackson grabbed fourth ahead of Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Cole, although the latter will be pleased to have scored his first top five finish of the season.
Toyota man Tom Ingram was next in the order, whilst Jake Hill and Jack Goff completed a solid day's work in seventh and eighth respectively. Power Maxed Racing rounded out the top ten positions with rookie Senna Proctor getting the better of his team-mate Tom Chilton.
2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 18 – Snetterton
1 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 12 laps
2 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.712s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +1.007s
4 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +7.260s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +7.743s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +7.953s
7 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +10.260s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +10.559s
9 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +11.424s
10 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +11.763s
11 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +14.639s
12 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +15.345s
13 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +15.588s
14 Brett SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +21.982s
15 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +22.679s
16 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +23.101s
17 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +23.817s
18 Will BURNS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +24.428s
19 Josh PRICE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +24.788s
20 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +30.052s
21 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +1m02.644s
DNF Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +8 laps
DNF Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +8 laps
DNF Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +8 laps
DNF Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +8 laps
DNF Michael EPPS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +9 laps
DNF Aron TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +10 laps
DNF Stewart LINES (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +11 laps
DNF Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +12 laps
DNF Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +12 laps
DNF Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +12 laps
