Cleland wins Super Touring openerposted in BTCC19 | 04 | 2014

    VETERAN SCOTS RACER, John Cleland, showed he's lost none of his pace or desire to win when he powered to victory in the opening round of the British Super Touring Car Championship at Thruxton.

    Driving his 1997 Vauxhall Vectra (pictured), the double British Touring Car Champion battled through from fifth on the grid to win by 8.528secs at the 2.35-mile Hampshire circuit.

    "It's nice to let everybody see I've still got the racecraft and pace to win in touring cars," the 61-year-old from Wishaw, who now runs a successful Jaguar and Volvo dealership in Galashiels, smiled today.

    "I knew from the start that the car had the pace, and it was a case of working my way through the field and putting pressure on the leaders.

    "It's great to start the season with a win, and hopefully I can do the double by winning Sunday's second race."

    Cleland finished ahead of his old BTCC rival, Patrick Watts in his Peugeot 406, with Paul Smith third in his BMW 320.

    James Dodd, who led much of the race, was forced to retire his Honda Accord on two laps from the end of the 15-lap race.

    Related: John Cleland returns to touring cars

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    Jim McGill

    Photo: PSP Images

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