BTCC - Round 1,2 & 3 Brands Hatch Indy

Reigning champion Jason Plato defends his title and leads the 2011 BTCC championship after adding to his victory titles at Brands Hatch Indy

Jason Plato - victory in Round 1

An eventful days racing began with two safety cars on track, but when lights were out and racing finally got underway, Jason Plato held his own against the feisty turbo-charged cars and drove his Silverline Chevrolet to victory lane and proved he is the mot successful driver in the championship's history after taking two wins and achieving his 62nd victory of his career. "Job done so far, great result for the team. Two wins was important," Plato said.

Plenty of nudging and rubbing, inside overtakes and side by side racing meant each race was both exciting and unpredictable. Pole position holder Matt Neal had an unexpected start in round 1, after entering turn 2 being pushed into an uncontrollable spin and therefore ending up planted in the gravel trap loosing first place to his biggest rival, Jason Plato. But after a not to good start to the day, his hope was regained when taking first place in race 3.  



Jason Plato, James Nash, Mat Jackson, Gordon Shedden

Drivers Mat Jackson, Gordon Shedden and James Nash also had a great start to the championship with a full day of competitive, close racing and all managing a podium finish. James Nash took his best ever 2nd place in his 888 Collins Contractors Vauxhall Vectra in race 1, putting him in the surprising number 2 spot on the leader board, and in race 2 after holing 2nd position for most of the race and challenging Plato for 1st, Mat Jackson in his Airwaves Racing Ford Focus dropped into 3rd when Racing Honda driver Gordon Shedden passed him on the closing stages.

Jason Plato remains top of the leader board for the driver's championship after a victorious, with 38 points from Mat Jackson with 30, James Nash in 3rd with 26 and Gordon Shedden rounding up the top 4 with 25.



On the podium - Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden & Mat Jackson



The exciting and extreme racing will continue at Donington Park for Round 4,5 & 6 on April 17th - Stay posted for my lastest stories!

By Sophie Williamson