Shedden sets up BTCC defenceposted in BTCC29 | 09 | 2013
FIFER GORDON SHEDDEN heads to the British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch in a fortnight clinging on to the chance to retain his title.
The 34-year-old from Dalgety Bay struggled with his ill-handling Honda Racing Civic in the opening two races at Silverstone today, finishing 11th and seventh.
But shod with the soft compound Dunlop tyres — compulsory for one of the three races each weekend — Shedden's car was transformed.
He powered from seventh on the grid on to the rear bumper of leader Colin Turkington's BMW before the appearance of the safety car.
Then, on the restart, the Scot powered down the inside of the Irishman to take a lead he was never to relinquish.
"The Honda was just a totally different beast in the final race," Shedden (pictured), who eventually finished 2.045secs ahead of Aaron Smith's Ford Focus, said.
"I could put the car exactly where I wanted on the track, and I could brake so late. It was chalk and cheese compared to the opening two races today.
"And the main thing is, this result has totally changed my approach to the final triple-header in two weeks."
Despite the opening two races being won by the MG of former champ Jason Plato, it's Andrew Jordan who leads the title race heading to Brands.
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The Honda driver has a 34 point advantage over Shedden's team-mate Matt Neal — who battled through the weekend with a broken finger on his right hand — with the Scot just a point further back.
"Can I still win the title?," Shedden smiled afterwards. "Definitely. Brands is a circuit I love, and if we get a bit of rain, then that'll help my cause even more, because the Honda's brilliant in those conditions.
"But let's be realistic: the championship's really Andrew's to throw away.
"That said, anything can happen in the BTCC, and if he fails to finish one race, and with 25 points for a win, after my win today, the championship's definitely not over."
Dalkeith teenager Aiden Moffat, meanwhile, racing his Team Hard VW Passat for the first time, had an impressive weekend. The 16-year-old bagged a highest-finish of 14th in the day's second race.
"I've got to thank all the guys at Team Hard," the young Scot, the youngest driver ever to race in the BTCC said. "The car was brilliant all weekend, and I can't wait to get back into it again at Brands Hatch."
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Jim McGill