BTCC // SHEDDEN, ONSLOW-COLE & NEAL WIN @ DONINGTON

Yet again the fight for the British Touring Car title will go right down to the last meeting of the year after a day of drama at Donnington Park. Race wins for Gordon Shedden, Tom Onslow-Cole and Matt Neal mean all three along with championship leader Jason Plato can still take the title at the season Finale in 3 weeks time around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit... [read more]

Taking a 20 point lead into the 3 races at Donnington Chevrolet's Jason Plato recovered from a race ending shunt in the first encounter of day to maintain his advantage at the top of the standings with two third place finishes in races two and three. Indeed the 2001 champion was in masterful form as he produced a stunning drive through the field in race two from the back of the grid.

For Team Honda driver Matt Neal Donnington could have seen him reduce his points deficit to Plato more substantially after the Chevrolet driver's race one retirement, but the former double champion was penalised for a jump start in race two dropping him down the order. Despite the penalty the hugely experienced Neal made amends in the final race of the day with a win and now goes to Brands some 17 points behind his old adversary.

Scotsman Gordon Shedden who took victory in the first race of the day is now also in with a chance of taking what would be his maiden touring car title and now lies just 4 points behind his team mate Neal. Sheddon won a chaotic opening race of the day after a hugely entertaining battle with the LPG Ford's of Tom Chilton and Tom Onslow-Cole before recordinga second place finish in race two.

The other driver still in the championship hunt and by far the youngest is 23yr old Tom Onslow-Cole who won race two in fine style after sustaining damage in race one when he was caught up in the incident at the newly reprofiled Goddard’s chicane that ended Plato's race.

RML Chevrolet driver Jason Plato (above) gave great credit to his Silverline team after the drama of race one and remains quietly confident for the title decider "“After race one it wasn’t looking too rosy but my team worked miracles to repair the car in such a short timeframe and third place in race two was all down to them. I knew this would be a great circuit for the Cruze and while I’m happy with a 17-point lead it should have been 25 or so. But I’d rather have a handy cushion than be going to Brands Hatch playing catch-up. We just need to do our homework between now and then, leave no stone unturned and take nothing for granted.”

The four way battle for the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car title will be decided around the natural amphitheatre of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit over the weekend of 9th/10th October.

BTCC Drivers’ Points after Donington Park (round 9 of 10):

1. Jason Plato, 224
2. Matt Neal, 207
3. Gordon Shedden, 203
4. Tom Onslow-Cole, 200
5. Tom Chilton, 171
6. Steven Kane, 152
7. Mat Jackson, 143
8. Robert Collard, 122
9. Paul O’Neill, 117
10. Andrew Jordan, 79

Manufacturers’ Points:

1. Honda, 500
2. Chevrolet, 410

HiQ Teams’ Points:

1. Honda Racing Team, 387
2. Team Aon, 346
3. Airwaves BMW, 293
4. Silverline Chevrolet, 282
5. WSR, 124
5. Sunshine.co.uk, 116

Independent Drivers’ Points:

1. Tom Onslow-Cole, 241
2. Steven Kane, 223
3. Tom Chilton, 219
4. Mat Jackson, 206
5. Paul O’Neill, 178
6. Robert Collard, 166

Independent Teams’ Points:

1. Team Aon, 312
2. Airwaves BMW, 287
3. Sunshine.co.uk, 217
4. WSR, 214
5. Uniq Racing with 888, 171
6. Pirtek Racing, 154

*All points remain provisional

Editorial/Photos: Neil Tozer